J. Forbes

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate St. Elpis Greek Orthodox Church of Hopewell, Virginia on its 85th anniversary. In 1914, Dupont Chemicals decided to expand their plant in Hopewell in support of WWI. Consequently, ads were posted throughout Europe to recruit immigrants as laborers and engineers for this plant. About 6000 Greeks responded to this ad with the promise of a new future in America. Upon arrival in Hopewell, these Greeks sought to preserve their heritage and religion by building the first Greek Orthodox Church in Virginia. The tremendous sacrifice made by these early parishioners to establish St. Elpis was great. Their devotion and commitment to preserving their Greek heritage and religion enabled the parishioners to overcome great obstacles over the years and has enabled the church to continue to thrive. This spirit is as vibrant today as it was 85 years ago. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate St. Elpis and its parishioners, as they celebrate the 85th anniversary of the founding of their church and I wish them continued success and prosperity in the years to come. It is truly an honor and a privilege to recognize St. Elpis in the United States House of Representatives this day.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember my dear friend, Fay Latham. Fay was a loving mother, grandmother, and servant of God, but to me she was first and foremost a trusted friend. If I can convey but one overriding memory of Fay, it is that she was always there for me from the earliest days onward. As I embarked on my career in government service, she was active in each of my campaigns, contributing even more than I could have asked. I owe her much. While Fay's loss to the community will be considerable, her dedication and commitment to principal will continue to inspire. We must continue to remember and honor people like Fay Latham who steadfastly step in the breach when principle and duty call. Her husband Jesse and her family have my continuing gratitude and respect.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Town of Smithfield, Virginia on the marking of their 250th anniversary this year. Smithfield has a population of 6,584 and is approximately 10.1 square miles in size. Located on the banks of the Pagan River in Isle of Wight County, Smithfield, Virginia was incorporated in 1752 from land donated and surveyed by Arthur Smith IV. Smithfield offers residents a small- town atmosphere, a great school system, affordable housing, and a beautiful historic downtown. While numerous Tidewater localities suffered during the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War, Smithfield was spared the devastation. Since the Town's inception, Smithfield has worked hard to maintain its architectural heritage and small town charm. The rise of Smithfield is most often credited to its world famous ham industry. Know as the ``Ham Capital of the World,'' no visit to Smithfield can be considered complete without enjoying a quality ham. To mark the Town's anniversary, on September 28th, the residents of Smithfield will be making the largest ham biscuit in the world. The ham biscuit bill will be eight fee in diameter and large enough to feed 1,752 people. I hope the Guinness Book of World Records will recognize the biscuit as the worlds largest ham biscuit. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the citizens of Smithfield, Virginia, as they celebrate the Town's 250th anniversary and wish them continued success and prosperity in the years to come. While rich in history and in the beauty if its surroundings, the greatest part of Smithfield is the people who live there. It is truly an honor and privilege to represent the people of the Town of Smithfield in the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to call attention to the publication of ``To Life: Stories of Courage and Survival as told by Hampton Roads Holocaust Survivors, Liberators, and Rescuers.'' I also wish to bring to the attention of the House of Representatives the following statement issued by Rabbi Israel Zoberman, spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Chaverim in Virginia Beach, upon publication by the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater of the book ``To Life: Stories Of Courage and Survival told by Hampton Roads Holocaust Survivors, Liberators and Rescuers.'' Rabbi Zoberman, son of Polish Holocaust survivors, and his daughter Rachel are among the contributing authors. Statement of Rabbi Zoberman Out of the depths of Jewish anguish and an aching human soul, with much trepidation to disclose accounts so personal and intimate yet with a compelling need to unburden heavy- laden hearts, reaching out to connect across a separating abyss, this--courageously, convincingly and caringly--shared tales of woes and victories is an enduring gift of Tikvah, reasssuring hope for generations. Out of the Shoah's poisonous fires still threatening to consume civilization, hope is painstakingly garnered and guarded from the midst of despair, a reminder of humanity's capacity to stand up to indefinite evil--physically, psychologically and spiritually--to ensure that infinite goodness will be the lot of all God's children. Hope that dreams dashed by blind hatred and boundless cruelty perverting the divine image within us cannot ultimately be destroyed by demonic design deposited in the recesses of human depravity. While affirming the Holocaust's uniqueces we recall with horror the September 11th, 2001 terrorist strikes and the genocidal wars in Cambodia, Rwanda and Bosnia, further diminishing us. Hope that life's sacred and sweet essence of creative potential, morel imperative, fulfilling relations and maturing growth will prevail over the stifling emptiness of a culture of death. Hope that the holiness in the victims' lives, symbolized by the flickering Sabbath lights, is within reach in spite of history's harsh winds. Hope that glorious Israel reborn, the surviving remnant facing continued trials and tribulations, will ever be a fitting testimony to its martyred people's inspiring bequest of prophetic values and undying faith. Hope filled with lasting gratitude that the United States of America, home and haven to the persecuted and oppressed, a weary humanity's best and last beacon of light, will retain its great pluralistic vision. It valiantly defeated Nazism and it will win as well its war on global terrorism. Our heroic survivors, rescuers and liberators have entered portals not one else has, a land only they traversed, leaving behind lost dear ones safe from hurt and humiliation under the Shechina's broken wings. They dared remember, recall and retell for memory empowers the living and is the dead's lasting memorial. Rebuilding and healing their lives in Hampton Roads, the survivors along with their children and grandchildren provide us with indelible past and present lessons of perseverance, purpose and promise. The treasured candles of their cherished lives will brightly shine, eternal watch and witness, kindling a path for shalom's blessing to yes highlight a global community at harmonious peace. Mr. Speaker, I commend this important publication to all Members of the House of Representatives. The stories of Holocaust survivors must be documented and told again and again. In doing so, we will ensure that such inhumane horror will remain present forever in our collective conscience, so that we, above all else, will never let this dark chapter in our history ever repeat itself.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the outstanding contributions of Michelle Presson on behalf of the citizens of the 4th District of Virginia. On August 31, 2002, Michelle, who has served as my Senior Advisor and Legislative Director, will leave Capitol Hill for another full time and demanding position, that of a mother to her daughter Abigail. Over the past ten years, Michelle has proudly and competently served three other Members of this body as Legislative Assistant, Legislative Counsel and Legislative Director. Congressman Chris Smith, Congressman Ander Crenshaw and former Congresswoman Tilley Fowler have all had the honor of having Michelle on their respective staffs. Michelle is the type of person and employee that any Member would be honored to have on their team. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in saluting Michelle for her distinguished service and commitment to this body and to the people of Virginia's 4th District. Just as we will never forget what she has done here, the numerous constituents she has served well over the last ten years will not forget either. She has enriched the lives of those whom she served. Michelle leaves Capitol Hill with our gratitude for a job well done. I commend her for her dedication to her family and am confident that she will excel in the noble profession of motherhood. Michelle is the very embodiment of the words service and dedication and it is fitting that the House of Representatives honor her this day.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, it never ceases to amaze me when I listen to debates on the floor at the tremendous disconnect between the rhetoric we hear and the substance of the bill. This afternoon we will hear a lot of people talking about choice when they know this bill is not about choice. We will hear them talk about abortion, and this bill is really not about abortion. This bill, substantively when you look at it, is about one procedure, one procedure that is so painful to an unborn baby, so barbaric, so egregious that even the most extreme proponent of abortion has to look at it and say it shocks even their conscience. Mr. Speaker, when we leave here tonight and all the pounding on the podium is done and all the rhetoric is finished and the lights are turned off, one thing will loom ever present, and that is this fact, that all of the testimony that we have heard on this bill suggests that an unborn baby feels pain even more than the actual baby when it is born, because of the development of the nervous system. Mr. Speaker, when it all comes down to whether this bill should be passed or not, the question is very simple. Is there no amount of pain that is so great that we would inflict upon an unborn baby? Is there no procedure that is so egregious that we will not be prepared to step up and say that goes too far and we cannot allow that to happen? Mr. Speaker, if that is what this bill says, that this procedure goes too far, we cannot allow it to happen, we cannot allow this kind of pain to be inflicted on an unborn baby, that is why, Mr. Speaker, it is important that we pass this piece of legislation, and I hope we will do just that this afternoon.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. I yield to the gentleman from Washington.

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy with the chairman or his designee. Mr. Chairman, I would first like to thank my colleague, the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Skeen), for his hard work on this bill before us today. I recognize the difficult choices that must be made, and appreciate the fair and balanced bill he has developed. The Fourth District in Virginia is home to a large part of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The remaining portion is in North Carolina. This refuge was established nearly 30 years ago with the express purpose of protecting a unique ecosystem. Its 109,000 acres are home to a large diversity of fish, bird, animal, and plant species. As of late, it has become an increasingly popular attraction for ecotourists from across the region, the State, and the Nation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently in the process of developing its comprehensive conservation plan for the Great Dismal Swamp. As part of this process, the service is planning the construction of a visitors center. It is my hope that ultimately the service will determine that the most appropriate location for the visitors center is on the Virginia side of the refuge. In fact, according to a letter my office received from Lloyd Culp, the refuge manager, on January 18, this outcome is the most logical and efficient conclusion. As Mr. Culp indicated, ``One cannot plan for visitor access to the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge without working on improved access to Lake Drummond, which is undoubtedly the most popular attraction for the refuge. All current land access to Lake Drummond is within the city of Suffolk, Virginia, and I don't see that changing.'' I would appreciate the opportunity to continue working with my colleague, the gentleman from New Mexico, towards ensuring that the conference report on this bill and future appropriation bills leads to the establishment of a topnotch visitors center for the Great Dismal Swamp refuge, which makes the most of the natural advantages of spots like Lake Drummond to ensure its success.

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman. Amendment Offered by Mr. Flake

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York for yielding me this time. I am very proud to rise in support of this important legislation. On September 11, our Nation suffered a great tragedy. The enemies of freedom made a deliberate attack upon our people and our soil and our way of life. But those enemies were mistaken if they believed that such an attack could turn us away from the principles of liberty and freedom that we hold so dear. Despite the strains of the war on terror, America's military is still the strongest in the world. However, the true power behind America's military might is not the high-tech tanks and planes and guns that we have; it is the fighting American soldier, sailor, airman and Marine that operates those weapons. People are the true power behind America's military might. People fly planes and drive tanks and ride on horseback through the mountains of Afghanistan. People sail into harm's way and launch from the decks of aircraft carriers. People guard over the very freedom that makes this country the best in the world. There is no warfighting without warfighters, and if we do not protect our people, we will lose them. Only two things in life they say are certain: death and taxes. But how in the world can we possibly continue to justify penalizing our service members who risk their lives to protect this government by then turning around and taxing them on the benefits their families receive because they gave their lives for us? It makes absolutely no sense for our government to bestow a gratuity upon the American service member only so that we can take it away after he has given the ultimate sacrifice. Please join me in supporting this important legislation to remove death gratuity payments from members of the armed services.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true American patriot who has committed his entire career in the service of the American people. Colonel James E. Pallas III, United States Air Force, is retiring from duty bringing to a close his admirable 30-year military career. A 1970 graduate of the University of Georgia, Colonel Pallas has served his country in the extreme temperatures of the globe as director of housing and services for the Alaskan Air Command Headquarters, at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, and as food and service officer for the 43rd Combat Support Group, at Andersen AFB, Guam. During his distinguished service Colonel Pallas was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Joint Services Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and the Humanitarian Service Medal with second device. In his most recent assignment Colonel Pallas served as inspector general for the Defense Commissary Agency, Fort Lee, Virginia. In this position Colonel Pallas was responsible for inquiring into and reporting on matters affecting mission performance and the state of the economy, efficiency, discipline, and morale within an agency that controls the procurement, distribution and sales of a worldwide food supplier to our military and their families. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the Representative of the citizens of Virginia's 4th District to congratulate Colonel Pallas on his magnificent career and to thank him for his long service to America. Please join me in wishing Colonel Pallas happiness for the future and thank him for his dutiful dedication to the United States of America.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true American patriot who has spent his entire adult life in the service of his country. Major General Robert J. Courter Jr., United States Air Force, is retiring from duty, bringing to a close his admirable 33-year military career. A 1968 graduate of Rutgers University, Major General Courter, commanded two squadrons as a base civil engineer. He attained the academic position of associate professor of engineering management at the Air Force Institute of Technology and served in two different key resource management positions at the Headquarters of the United States Air Force here in Washington, D.C. General Courter has served as the command civil engineer at Air Force Logistics Command at Wright- Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. General Courter also served as the 37th Training Wing commander at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He is a registered professional engineer in Texas, a society fellow, and national board member of the Society of American Military Engineers. Throughout his dedicated career Major General Courter was decorated for his service. His awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with ``V'' device and oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. In his most recent assignment Major General Courter served as the director of the Defense Commissary Agency, at Fort Lee, in the Fourth District of Virginia. In this capacity, Major General Courter was responsible for directing and centrally managing the military's worldwide commissary system. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the representative of the citizens of Virginia's 4th District to congratulate Major General Courter on the completion of his outstanding career and to thank him for his dedicated service to the United States of America. Please join me in wishing General Courter happiness for the future and thank him for his dutiful dedication to service.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4019, the Permanent Marriage Penalty Relief Act. I wholeheartedly support ending the marriage penalty in the tax code. On March 8, 2001, President Bush signed into law H.R. 3, the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act of 2001. H.R. 3 reduced income tax rates across the board and made significant progress towards reducing the marriage tax penalty. Among its main provisions, H.R. 3 increased the standard deduction for married couples to twice that of single earners and increased the 15 percent income tax bracket to twice that of single earners. Furthermore, H.R. 3 doubled the per-child tax credit to $1000 from $500. When fully phased in this new law will give 28 million working American couples relief from the marriage tax penalty. This includes 54,000 couples from the Fourth District who currently pay an average of $1,400 a year in extra taxes just because they are married. Unfortunately, because of the other body's arcane rules, the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act will sunset in 2011. This is because under the Byrd Rule a point of order may be raised in the Senate against any tax reduction contained in a reconciliation bill that reduces taxes beyond the window of the reconciliation bill, in this case ten years. The point of order can only be waived with the vote of 60 Senators. Congress should not allow the marriage penalty to rear its ugly head again because of the Senate's bureaucratic rules. The sunset provision of the tax relief package defies the original intent of the legislation and makes it virtually impossible for people and small businesses to plan ahead from a tax standpoint. At a time when marriages are falling apart at record levels, it makes absolutely no sense to require people to pay more in taxes simply because they are married. This law will relieve families of this extra burden and provide them with more money for their priorities, whether it's college tuition, children's braces, or a family vacation. People should not be taxed differently simply because of their marital status. Should the sunset of tax relief occur in 2011, countless couples will face higher tax bills simply because they said I do. Now is the time to make tax relief for hard working married couples permanent. I urge my colleagues to support this very important legislation.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer a personal explanation. On June 13, 2002, 1 was absent from the Chamber as I attended my daughter's high school graduation. During that time, I was not present to vote on rollcall votes 226, 227, 228, and 229. Had I been present, I would have voted, ``yes'' on rollcall votes 226, 227, and 229. I would have voted, ``no'' on rollcall vote 228. I ask that my statement be submitted in the appropriate place in the Congressional Record.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the King's Kids of America, Inc. for their outstanding service to our nation and the young people of America. Founded in Suffolk, Virginia in 1989, the King's Kids of America has selflessly worked to develop our youth into well- rounded young adults. The King's Kids of America is a volunteer, non- profit community outreach program for all of America's youth. Their motto is: ``striving to make a positive difference.'' Unfortunately, the evidence is all around us that our young people today need some extra care and support. Our youth today face challenges and obstacles that I never dreamed about when I was growing up. We know that one caring adult can make a world of difference in the life of a child. The King's Kids of America is committed to making sure that our youth make wholesome decisions that will lead to positive outcomes in their future. America and Virginia need the King's Kids of America now more than ever. Through the tireless efforts of the King's Kids of America over the years, and its numerous programs dedicated to developing our youth, the world is a better place. I applaud the King's Kids of America's history, and herald its future. I join with the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia and my colleagues in the House of Representatives in thanking the King's Kids of America and all its members for their service, dedication, and contributions to our state.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2143, the Permanent Death Tax Repeal Act of 2001. There are two things certain in life: death and taxes. With estate taxes, Washington has figured out a way to marry these two certainties. fortunately, last year President Bush singed into law the Economic growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, which represents the largest tax cut in twenty years. The new tax law reduces marginal rates across the board, provides for marriage penalty relief, expands the child tax credit, increases contribution limits for IRAs and 401(k) plans, and repeals the death tax. Unfortunately, because of the other body's acrane rules, the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act will sunset in 2011. This is because under the Byrd Rule a point of order may be raised in the Senate against any tax reduction contained in a reconciliation bill that reduces taxes beyond the window of the reconciliation bill, in this case ten years. The point of order can only be waived with the vote of 60 Senators. Congress should not allow the Estate Tax to rear its ugly head again because of the Senate's bureaucratic rules. The sunset provision of the tax relief package defies the original intent of the legislation and makes it virtually impossible for people and small businesses to plan ahead from a tax standpoint. Taxpayers should not pay the consequences ten years from now because of an esoteric Senate rule. I also support this legislation because the Estate Tax is bad policy. Families should be allowed to keep more of what they have earned throughout their lives. There is no other tax more offensive than that levied on the deceased and their families. Not only is it a double taxation, but also its very name is a misnomer. Rather than failing on ``estates,'' its most egregious effects are on small businesses and farms, which have been built over generations, only to be destroyed upon an individual's death in order to pay federal taxes. Clearly, this oppressive tax should be eliminated. America has a strong and rich tradition of entrepreneurship and self- reliance. The Estate Tax, however, insults our values by forcing families to destroy a lifetimes work to feed the largess of the government. Rather, Congress should support policies that encourage the generational transfer of wealth. We should see that family farms and business are kept in business, not taxed out of existence because of the government. In the end, Mr. Speaker, the bottom line is that families should never have to visit a funeral parlor and the IRS in the same week. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleges to support H.R. 2143 and finally put an end to this misguided tax.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true American patriot who has committed his entire career to the mission of defending America. Colonel James W. DeLony, United States Army Corps of Engineers, is retiring from duty bringing to a close his admirable 29-year military career. Colonel DeLony, a 1973 graduate of Texas A&M, spent much of his career in the elite Airborne forces including command of the 101st Airborne Division's Engineer Battalion and as the Brigade Operations Officer of the 20th Airborne Engineer Brigade during the Gulf War. For his service, Colonel DeLony has been awarded a number of decorations including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (Five Awards), Army Commendation Medal (Two Awards), National Defense Service Medal (Two Awards), Saudi Arabia Liberation Medal and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. He has also earned the Senior Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the coveted Ranger Tab. In his most recent assignment, Colonel DeLony served as the Commander of the Wilmington District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In this position, Colonel DeLony battled different foes, from mosquitoes in the Cape Fear River to Hurricane Debby as it threatened the Southeast coast. He has distinguished himself in this assignment, providing able leadership as his command carried out its essential mission of enhancing the military and economic capabilities of South-Central Virginia and North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the Representative of the citizens of Virginia's 4h District to congratulate Colonel DeLony on his magnificent career and to thank him for his long service to America. Colonel, we wish you and your wife Jennifer every happiness as you begin this new assignment and thank you both for your dedication to service and duty.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to represent many of the men and women who serve at the Defense Supply Center Richmond. They perform duties that are absolutely essential to the smooth operations of our armed forces, though they may seem unglamorous to a nation that considers the television show JAG to be a peek into the life of the average servicemember. And, they perform these duties with great pride in their work--an ethic that is evident in their most recent accomplishment. These men and women have recently been chosen to receive a 2002 Commander-in-Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence. They are only one of five commands to achieve this distinction for their exemplary support of the Department of Defense mission. The Center received this award several times during the last decade--1991, 1993, 1994, and 1997--an unprecedented record. But, particularly now, as men and women in uniform are fighting a war overseas and our national defense at home is on alert, honoring their support of the DOD mission takes on new meaning. On behalf of all the citizens of Virginia's Fourth District, I wish to thank the men and women of the Defense Supply Center Richmond for their dedication to duty, their quiet dignity, and their ceaseless quest for excellence in their daily labors.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Chairman, as many people are now aware, the largest increase in defense spending in two decades, is not really an `increase' so much as it is a `payment past due' on a defense budget that was significantly under-funded in the 1990s. This outstanding debt is most easily seen in the Navy. It was the Navy that brought the Marine Expeditionary Units to the Afghanistan theater of operations, and it is the Navy that conducted 75% of the strike sorties flown in Afghanistan. As we speak, Navy assets are not just in the Indian Ocean, but also off the coasts of Somalia, Yemen, and the Philippines. The Carrier Battle Group was the force enabler in Afghanistan--and it will be the force enabler in the next theater of operations in the war on terror. America's defense requires a combat credible expeditionary force. America's aircraft carriers with 2.5 acres of sovereign territory are just that. In the early part of the last century, President Theodore Roosevelt sent his `Big Stick' fleet around the world to deter other nations from developing an aggressive stance towards the U.S. In the year 2002, we have sent our `Big Stick' around the world to keep those that would terrorize America on the run. Now is the time for a `Big Stick' budget and investments in carrier battle groups are crucial to maintaining our superiority over America's enemies--conventional, and unconventional.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his efforts in this regard. I have listened to this debate tonight and I hear when people are talking about abstinence and all of the statistics, but let me give one actual fact. In one city that I represent, I had some of the leadership in that city that came to me and they said this, which just startled me. They said that 81 percent of the live births in that city were to unwed mothers, mostly teenagers. If we just stop and think about that, 81 percent, the economic and social consequences from that are enormous. The programs that they have been using, you can list all of them, but the one that is not there is abstinence education. We say this is a child problem. This is not a child problem, this is an adult problem. I was amazed in Virginia when I had legislation there that would have allowed us to have abstinence education as a part of their curriculum, and in doing the debate and going through all of the issues that were there, there was one real culminating statement that was made by the opposition, and this was just to whether or not we should allow abstinence education to be taught. Somebody on the other side said we should not even teach abstinence education because it would confuse our children. If you do not think that our children are confused, all you have to do is spend 24 hours with them, and they are pulled in every direction imaginable, and they are looking to us not to confuse them more, but to set standards. We do that every day. In government classes, we put them in at a high standard because we want them to be the best they can be in government. In English courses, we set a high English standard, and we say this is where you ought to reach and aspire to attain to. In our mathematics courses, we also do that. The real question for us today is not whether abstinence works, it is whether or not we want it to work. The real question is not whether this standard is too high, it is whether we want a standard at all. I have a great example of a student that I know back in one of the cities that I represent. He is now the most popular government teacher in that entire city; and yet he was at a point in his career when he was in high school, he did not know what he was going to do. One day a principal walking down the hall looked at that student, called him by name. He turned around and said, you would be a good teacher, you ought to be a teacher. Then he turned around and kept walking down the hall. It changed his life because that principal cared enough to set a standard and say you can do this. He became the best government teacher in that particular city. Mr. Speaker, imagine if that teacher would stop our students and say when it comes to all of the problems that you have with sex today, if you would have abstinence, look at what would happen. One thing that we know is not every child would reach that goal, any more than they would in government or mathematics or English when we set high standards. But we know the ones that reach that goal, here are the things that would not happen to them: That student would not develop a sexually transmitted disease because of their abstinence; that student would not get an unwanted pregnancy because of their abstinence; that student would not keep from developing the career that they had always dreamed of because of that decision regarding abstinence; that student would not keep from going to college because of their decision to have abstinence. It certainly would not cause them to suffer from the guilt of making a bad decision that could negatively impact them for the rest of their lives. But I would say to our chairman, despite all of your good works and all of the discussions we have heard here tonight and will continue to hear, I do not think we are ever going to reach the goal of having abstinence education in this country until parents really are demanding of us as leaders and educators, when they stand up and say our children deserve to have a program that works, and abstinence works. I just thank the gentleman for his efforts on this. We will continue to work to make sure that all of our children get an opportunity to hear this standard and can strive to reach it.

Mr. FORBES. Ours is still at a point where it is too early probably for us to statistically be able to answer that. We believe that is what the numbers are indicating. But let me tell you an even more compelling fact: I spend a lot of time going around to schools. I do not think one can just read about what students are thinking in a magazine or in a document or have some lobbyist tell you and that be the fact. I think the way you find out is to go in the schools and talk to the students. There is not a school in my district that I am not in every year, once a year at least, talking to those students. When you do, and you sit down and you look at them and you talk to them, they are the ones that tell you this program works. They are looking for standards. They are looking to us. We have been there. They do put more credibility in us sometimes than we give them credit for. When we tell them you can do well in college if you just try, a lot of them do that. When we tell them that abstinence works, it does work and they see the proof in the pudding. But if we tell them nothing, then they have no standards, no goals to reach. So I suggest it is working not just because of statistics I see on paper, but looking into eyes of students I get to talk to, and they tell me it is working.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the town of Wakefield, Virginia on the marking of their centennial this year. Located in southeastern Sussex County, Wakefield represents the best of our Commonwealth. Few have left Wakefield without a greater appreciation for its traditions and small town charm. Wakefield is a community built on the ideals of faith, family, and service to one's community. In 1902, Wakefield was granted its charter from the Virginia General Assembly. Since then, Wakefield has grown with the times while never forgetting its rich history and traditions. Today, Wakefield, Virginia is a culturally and economically diverse community. Wakefield is home to America's finest peanuts and home-style cooking. With its status as one of the best places to live in Virginia, and continued high standard of living and education, Wakefield is a community its residents can be proud to call home. Mr. Speaker, I urge you and all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating Wakefield during its centennial year as the citizens of Wakefield begin an exciting new century.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the town of Windsor in Isle of Wight County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, which is celebrating its centennial this year. Originally discovered in the 17th Century by early settlers, Windsor served as an important route for mail and trade throughout America's early colonial days. One cannot separate Windsor's history from America's history. On April 11, 1902, Windsor was granted its charter from the Virginia General Assembly. Since then, Windsor has grown with the times while never forgetting its rich history and small town charm. Today, Windsor, Virginia, is a culturally and economically diverse community. With its status as one of the best places to live in Virginia and continued high standard of living and education, Windsor is a community that residents can be proud to call home. Mr. Speaker, I urge you and all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating Windsor during its centennial year as the citizens of Windsor begin an exciting new century.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I understand that yesterday the lead negotiators for the Farm Bill informed us that they would ``be in a position to make the final farm bill decisions in public meetings of the Conference the week of April 9,'' according to a joint statement released by the top conferees. April 9th is far too late to begin implementing this complex legislation, as was March 22nd or even January 1st, and I believe that it is now essential to delay implementation of the Farm Security Act until next year. The planting season has already begun in many states across the country. As each day passes by without a new bill, America's farmers are digging themselves into deeper and deeper holes. We all know that farmers are not just planters, but planners, and most farmers thought it to be vitally important to have the farm bill in place at the end of last year. Now that it may be mid-summer before the USDA is effectively able to administer the provisions in the new Farm Bill, it could prove to be overwhelmingly detrimental for our agricultural community, especially in southeastern Virginia. In addition to helping the farmers by delaying the bill one more year, we will be saving the government an estimated $299 million dollars by delaying the new ``peanut subsidy program'' and continuing to use the current system, which has no net cost to the government. A Farm Bill is certainly needed, but the timing is important. Implementing the new Farm Bill this late in the season would be an incredible injustice to our farmers.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I am very distraught today over the inclusion of a Base Realignment and Closure provision in last year's National Defense Authorization Act. I do not buy into so-called BRAC `success' stories. I will be the first to stand up and congratulate sound accounting of our taxpayers' money, however, BRAC does not represent sound accounting. The truth of the matter is that reducing military construction for Fiscal Year 2003 will not solve the Army's financial problems. Furthermore, according to the Government Accounting Office, BRAC cost and savings estimates are imprecise. According to the Congressional Research Service, in the early years of the past four rounds of BRAC, base closure costs greatly exceeded savings. On more than a few occasions, facilities that were closed under BRAC were needed again, and in some cases, reopened. In 2005, the bases spared by the next round of BRAC will still need the same improvements, but in the meantime, the decision to freeze construction at bases that might be BRACed will only hurt our people living there--hurt our soldiers and their families. We need to protect our soldiers' families. And just as we need to protect them from terrorists, we also need to protect them from the elements--from Mother Nature who reminds them just how leaky their roofs are. We need to protect them from being uprooted in the name of savings that will not materialize for a decade and may, in all actuality, never materialize. A few weeks ago First Lieutenant Tallas Tomeny was killed in the line of duty. I extend my condolences to his family. While we mourn the loss of all of our soldiers, this loss is so much sadder because Lieutenant Tomeny was not killed in Afghanistan, or the Balkans, or Egypt, or Korea, or any of the other numerous places our soldiers are stationed around the world. He was killed in North Carolina during an exercise held off base, and he was shot by a Sheriff s deputy who mistook him for a criminal. While we sit here and continue to talk about closing Vieques and continue to talk about closing bases, a soldier has lost his life because his training was being held in a civilian community instead of on a military training area. We need to reconsider the decision to close facilities where our forces can train safely.