Elton Gallegly

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a hero, former Army medic Alfred Rascon. After a delay of nearly 3 1/2 decades. Alfred this week finally received the nation's highest military honor, the Medal of Honor. Mr. Speaker, Alfred was born in Mexico, and moved to Oxnard, California, in my district, with his family when he was a small child. His family raised him there and instilled in him the values of honor, integrity, a love of his adopted land and a reverence for life and his fellow human beings. At age 17, he left Oxnard and joined the Army. He trained to be a medic and a paratrooper. On March 16, 1966, in the jungles of Vietnam, Alfred was severely and repeatedly wounded as he crawled from comrade to comrade to render aid, to protect his comrades and to retrieve weapons and ammunition needed in the firefight they were in. By the time Alfred was loaded into a helicopter, he was near death. A chaplain gave him last rites. He survived. Because of his efforts, so did his sergeant and at least one other in his platoon. But the medal Alfred was due was lost in red tape, until this week, when the record was corrected. During the intervening 34 years, Alfred left the Army, completed his college education, because U.S. citizen, returned to the Army, returned to Vietnam, and left the Army as a lieutenant. Now married with two children, Alfred is an inspector general for the U.S. Selective Service. When President Clinton presented the Medal of Honor to Alfred, the hero downplayed his actions in Vietnam as ``common valor that was done every day.'' We know differently. We know that Alfred is special. We know we would do well to emulate his values and his humility. We honor him to remind us of the ideal American: someone who works hard, is willing to risk everything in times of crisis, and who shrugs it off as just the right thing to do. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in honoring Alfred Rascon for his heroism in Vietnam 34 years ago and for being the role model he remains today.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Simi Valley High School Academic Decathlon Team, which will represent Ventura County in the Academic Decathlon California state finals on March 16- 19. The Simi Valley team's win this past weekend was impressive, setting a new county record of points scored. And, in winning the county competition against 15 other schools, they also beat last year's National Champions--Moorpark High School, Simi Valley's neighbor to the west. Moorpark placed second in this year's county competition. The two have been trading the county title for the past eight years. This time, the accolades belong to Simi Valley High School. The nine- student team is representative of the best and brightest our county has to offer. They have been accepted to such universities as Harvard and Stanford. Seniors David Bartlett, Steve Mihalovitz, Cary Opal, Jeff Robertson, Jennifer Tran, Michael Truex, Justin Underhill, Randy Xu and junior Kevin White ended the competition with a slew of medals and trophies. Now these bright young leaders are readying themselves to take on the top teams in the state. They will probably face Moorpark High School again, as Moorpark is expected to compete as one of the state's wild card teams. Simi Valley High School is confident, but not taking Moorpark for granted. It promises to be an exciting contest--the Super Bowl of intellectual competition. ``We're cooler than the athletes now,'' Jennifer Tran told a local reporter after this weekend's contest. And just as tough. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating the Simi Valley High School Academic Decathlon Team for its impressive win this week, and in wishing the team great success in the state championships.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 72.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3293, a bill I introduced today with 104 original cosponsors, which will create a three foot by three foot plaque to be placed at the 13-acre site of Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The plaque will honor these men and women whose lives were cut short by their service in Vietnam. Honoring the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country should always be a priority. Unfortunately, some Vietnam veteran service and sacrifice is still not being fully recognized because they can not have their names placed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall. The wall is open to some veterans who died after the conflict, but the criteria for eligibility does not include many veterans whose post-war deaths were a direct result of such factors as Agent Orange and post traumatic stress syndrome. H.R. 3293 will address this issue by authorizing the creation of a plaque to honor them. Mr. Speaker, it is vital for us to have a place to honor all the men and women who have served and died for their country. It is also important for the families of these fallen heroes to have a place in our Nation's Capital where their loved one's sacrifice is honored and recognized for future generations.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Madam Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2, the Student Results Act, which renews Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and other programs assisting low-achieving students. I am particularly pleased that H.R. 2 includes a version of my bill, H.R. 637, the gifted and talented student education act. I want to thank the chairman and the other members of the committee for their work on this important legislation. All children deserve to be educated to their fullest potential. Unfortunately, the educational needs of our most talented students are not being met. Gifted and talented students are not reaching their highest level of learning. H.R. 637 provides incentives through formula grants to States to identify gifted and talented students from all economic, ethnic, and racial backgrounds, particularly students of limited English proficiency and students with disabilities. The bill authorizes State educational agencies to distribute grants to local education agencies, including charter schools, on a competitive basis. Funding would be based on each State's student population. H.R. 637 provides needed funds for gifted and talented students while leaving the decision on how best to serve these students to the States and local school districts. I know we all are committed to ensuring our Nation's youth have all the tools they need for their future. Our gifted and talented students are one the Nation's greatest natural resources. I urge my colleagues to support this very important bill.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I cannot let a couple of the statements of my distinguished colleague the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barr) stand. Number one, the gentleman knows better. This has nothing to do with bugs and insects and cockroaches, things like that. This has to do with living animals like kittens, monkeys, hamsters, and so on and so forth. Furthermore, it is the prosecutors from around this country, Federal prosecutors as well as State prosecutors, that have made an appeal to us for this. And further, it is not a requirement of them to prosecute the cases. This statute only gives them more tools at their option to prosecute if they deem necessary rather than taking away from, as the gentleman says, maybe more important cases. So I think that that argument is very invalid. Mr. Speaker, I do appreciate the opportunity to address the House today on H.R. 1887, a bill to prohibit the sale of depictions of animal cruelty. What do Ted Bundy and Ted Kaczynski have in common? They tortured or killed animals before killing people. Many studies have found that people who commit violent acts on animals will later commit violent acts on people. District Attorney Michael Bradbury of Ventura County in my home district of California came to me because he cannot prosecute people who are involved in promoting and profiting from violent acts to animals. The people are making and selling crush videos. These videos feature kittens, hamsters, birds, sometimes even monkeys and they are taped to the floor while women slowly torture and crush them to death. These videos, over 2,000 titles, sell for as much as $300 apiece. Federal and State prosecutors from around the country have contacted me to express the difficulty they have in prosecuting people for crush videos because the only evidence of the crime is on videotape. It is difficult to prove that the tape was filmed within the statute of limitations and it is difficult to identify the person in the video. Further, the producer and distributor of the video, the person making the big bucks, is not violating any current State or Federal laws. H.R. 1887 was drafted very narrowly to protect the freedom of speech guaranteed under the first amendment. The House Committee on the Judiciary passed the bill with bipartisan support by a vote of 22-4. I want to thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. McCollum), the chairman of the subcommittee; his staff, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) and all the cosponsors of the bill. I want to thank my district attorney Michael Bradbury for bringing this to my attention, his deputy attorney Tom Connors and my staff along with the Doris Day Animal League for helping me in my efforts to put an end to this crush video business. I ask my colleagues to join in supporting H.R. 1887. I appreciate the opportunity to rise and speak in favor of H.R. 1887, a bill to prohibit the sale of depictions of animal cruelty. What do Ted Bundy, David Berkowitz (the ``Son of Sam'' murderer), and Ted Kaczynski have in common? They all tortured or killed animals before they started killing people. The FBI recently stated that children who torture animals should be considered ``potentially violent'' and this may be a factor in profiling a child as the next school shooter. Many studies have found that people who commit violent acts on animals will later commit violent acts on people. Planned, acts of animal cruelty is a problem that should be taken seriously. District Attorney Michael Bradbury of Ventura County, California, came to me because he cannot prosecute people who are involved in promoting and profiting from violent acts to animals. The people are making and selling ``crush videos.'' These videos feature kittens, hamsters, birds, and even moneys that are taped to the floor while women, sometimes barefooted, and sometimes in spiked heels, slowly torture and crush the animal to death. The videos sell for up to $300 and more than two thousand titles are available for sale nationwide. People who buy the videos purchase them to satisfy their sexual foot fetish. Federal and state prosecutors from around the country have contacted me to express the difficulty they have in prosecuting people for crush videos because the only evidence of the crime is the videotape. It is difficult to prove that the tape was filmed within the statute of limitations, and it is difficult to identify the person in the video. Further, the producer and distributor of the video, the person making the big bucks, is not violating any federal or state laws. The state law on the books and the lack of a relevant federal law leave the prosecutors empty handed. The current law is insufficient to prosecute crush videos. H.R. 1887 targets the profits made from promoting illegal cruel acts toward animals. The bill was drafted very narrowly to protect the freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment. In order to be prosecuted for this proposed law, one must first violate a state or federal animal cruelty law in creating a depiction of a live animal. Then the person must sell the video or intend to sell the video across state lines. The First Amendment would not protect videos that are made for profit and that are filming someone violating an existing law. The state has an interest in enforcing its existing laws. Right now, the laws are not only being violated, but people are making huge profits from promoting the violations. Some of the leading constitutional lawyers in the nation helped me draft the bill. In addition, following a hearing in the Crime Subcommittee, this legislation was amended to further ensure that it does not infringe upon the First Amendment. The bill specifically excludes any depiction that has serious political, scientific, educational, historical, artistic, religious, or journalistic value. As amended, the bill does not prohibit groups such as the Humane Society of the United States from creating an educational documentary on animal cruelty. The value of crush videos is de minimis. Crush videos would not fall within the specific exceptions to the bill. The sick crush video business must end. The cruelty to animals must stop. The House Committee on the Judiciary agreed that crush videos should not be sold and passed the bill with bipartisan support by a vote of 22-4. Please support H.R. 1887. I want to thank the Chairman of the Crime Subcommittee, Congressman Bill McCollum and his staff, Chairman Henry Hyde and Ranking Member John Conyers, and all of the cosponsors of the bill. I also want to thank District Attorney Michael Bradbury and his Deputy District Attorney, Tom Connors, and the Doris Day Animal League for helping me in my efforts to put an end to the crush video business.

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and with all due respect to my good friend from South Carolina (Mr. Sanford), and he is my good friend, when he said he does not know whether it would be in effect for a jockey whipping a horse at the Kentucky Derby or crustaceans or the like, I can assure him that if he had read the bill a little more carefully, he would find that that absolutely is not a part of this legislation. As it relates to adding another statute, it does not add another statute as it relates to the issue of animal cruelty. It only gives the prosecutors one more tool to prosecute existing law.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Senior Master Sergeant Albert M. Romano, Jr., one of 12 U.S. Air Force Outstanding Airmen of the Year. ``Buddy'' Romano hails from Oxnard, California, in my district, where he starred in varsity football and baseball at Santa Clara High School and was ranked 32nd in California for motocross racing. He married his high school sweetheart, the former Jennifer Suytar, also of Oxnard. The couple now have three children, 12-year-old Tyler, 9-year-old Megan, and 5-year-old Zachary, who must be very proud of their father for all he has achieved. The Outstanding Airmen Award program began in 1956 during the Air Force Association's national convention as a way to highlight an Air Force military manpower crisis at the time. It proved so popular that it became an official Air Force award the following year. Competition for Airman of the Year is strenuous. Nominations are sent from each command, separate operating agency, direct reporting unit, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard to the Air Force Manpower Personnel Center. A high-ranking selection board narrows the field, then the final selections are validated and approved by the U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff. The criteria for this honor is ``unique, unusual, or outstanding individual involvement and achievement within the preceding 12 months.'' Selection considerations include: superior general job performance; job knowledge and leadership qualities applied to a specific Air Force problem or situation; development of new techniques or procedures resulting in increased mission effectiveness; noteworthy self-improvement through on- or off-duty educational studies, participation in professional or cultural societies/associations, or development of creative abilities; participation in social, cultural, or religious activities in the military and/or civilian community which contribute directly or indirectly to community or group welfare, morale, or status; other significant achievements on- or off-duty which by their nature or results clearly distinguish the Airman from others of equal or higher grade; Air Force or civilian awards in recognition of personal service or contribution; and demonstrated ability as an articulate and positive Air Force spokesperson. Buddy Romano must have been an easy selection. He joined the Air Force in 1981 and quickly established himself as an outstanding airman. In 1983, he was named NCO of the Year. In 1984, he earned the Distinguished Graduate Award from the 15th Air Force NCO Leadership School at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. He maintained a 96 percent fully mission capable rating during his first year--his unit's highest--as Dedicated Crew Chief at the 388th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. In 1987, he served in Operation Desert Storm. In 1988, he earned the NCO of the Year for the 548th Aircraft Generation Squadron, while maintaining a place on the Dean's List for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. In 1992, he earned his degree in Aircraft Maintenance from the Community College of the Air Force. Somehow, he has free time. Buddy has filled it by coaching or umpiring during almost every intramural varsity, high school, or youth basketball and baseball season since he became an airman. He has volunteered countless hours to the Equal Opportunity and Treatment Program, Anglo American sports day, Special Olympics, Arrive Alive Program, Toys for Tots Program, Top Three events, and countless other Air Force-sponsored events. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, with two clusters; the Air Force Commendation Medal, with one cluster; the Air Force Achievement Medal; the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, with five oak leaf clusters; the National Defense Service Medal; the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal; and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasure of recently meeting with Senior Master Sergeant and Jennifer Romano. They serve as a model for military couples, dedicating their lives to their family and their country. I know my colleagues will join me in saluting Albert M. Romano, Jr., for earning the respect and gratitude of his peers, his officers, and his country.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Capt. Clell Neil Ammerman, U.S. Navy (Ret.), who passed away last week. Captain Ammerman had a long and distinguished career serving his country in the United States Navy. He graduated with honors from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1954 and quickly proved himself as a capable officer. In 1957, he commanded the USS Ely, one of the first ships to transit the new St. Lawrence Seaway. In 1958, he was assigned to the National Security Agency, and in 1961 received his master's degree in applied mathematics and physics. Captain Ammerman returned to the sea, and in August 1964 was involved in the initial action in the Gulf of Tonkin as an officer aboard the USS Oklahoma City. In 1967, he completed his work in the field of nuclear weapons effects at the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory in Livermore, California, for which he received the Joint Services Commendation Medal. After another year at sea, Captain Ammerman served as Assistant to the Deputy Director, Research and Technology, ODDR&E. That stint earned him the Legion of Merit for outstanding management of research and development programs. But a Navy man belongs to the sea, and in September 1971, Captain Ammerman assumed command of the USS John S. McCain. Between April and October 1972, Captain Ammerman actively engaged the enemy off the coast of the Republic of Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star with the Combat ``V.'' He then entered the academic life, serving as professor of naval science and commanding officer for the NROTC Unit at UCLA. In 1976, he again returned to sea, then moved to Newport, Rhode Island, in 1978 to command the Navy's prestigious Surface Warfare Officer's School. Finally, he served as Chief of Staff of Battle Force Seventh Fleet, homeported in Subic Bay, the Philippines. In June of 1984, Captain Ammerman retired from the Navy and settled in Camarillo, California, which is in my district. Until 1995, he continued his relationship with the Navy through his work with naval contractors. His wife of 20 years, Pamela, is national director of the Navy League of the United States. She has also served as my campaign manager for years. Aside from Pam, Captain Ammerman is survived by six children and four grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me for a moment of prayer for Capt. Clell Neil Ammerman, and in sending our condolences to Pam and all of his family.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee I wanted to bring to the attention of my colleagues an often overlooked story in the debate over the war on drugs in the Western Hemisphere--that being the surprising success story of Bolivia. Even today, as we consider providing additional counter narcotics aid to Colombia to fight the terrible scourge of the drug trade which has so completely engulfed that nation, there is hardly any mention of the success achieved in Bolivia and Peru nor of the importance of providing additional assistance to those nations. It would be critically important that as the Administration considers a new aid package for the anti-drug fight in Colombia that some additional money be included for Peru and Bolivia so that they can continue their progress and ensure that as the Colombians become more successful in their efforts, the drug trade does not return to these other nations. Bolivia is a success story which many of my colleagues need to know more about. When the current government of Hugo Banzer took office in 1997, the President proclaimed a goal of ridding Bolivia of all illegal coca and cocaine by the Year 2002. Many people familiar with Bolivia's situation proclaimed their skepticism and said that the drug trade was too lucrative for the farmers and peasants of Bolivia to give up, at least not willingly, that there was too much corruption, that given the condition of Bolivia's economy at the time, the Government could not sustain any type of alternative crop development program to win the coca farmers over. Now, just a little over two years later, Bolivia has successfully eradicated over 50 percent of the illegal coca crop and reduced re- planting to a historically low level. This story has not been easy, nor without problems but with the firm commitment of President Banzer to succeed and under the strong leadership and direction of Vice President Jorge Quiroga and the Dignity Plan, Bolivia is well on its way to meeting its goals. According to the Bolivian government, between August 1997 and October 1999, over 27,000 hectares of coca have been eradicated. 121,000 square meters of coca seedbeds have been destroyed and 225 tons of cocaine bound for the United States or Europe have been interdicted. Through a combination of domestic political leadership and international support, mostly from the United States, Bolivia has been able to develop a successful strategy which balances interdiction, eradication and alternative development. It is the alternative development program which has been the real success story and one which could become a model for even Colombia if the guerrilla war in that country is ever brought under control. Mr. Speaker, the integration of illegal coca farmers into the legal economy of Bolivia has been the most urgent priority of the government and has thus far been highly effective. But it is also the most fragile element of the strategy in that unless the alternative crops can be produced and gotten to market in a timely fashion and can bring a financial return equal to coca, the farmers could very easily return to illegal drug cultivation returning Bolivia to the status of a major coca producing nation as in the past. The bottom line, Mr. Speaker is that Bolivia has done a remarkable job in reversing the drug trade in that region and for that, they should be recognized and congratulated. But more than that, we should be rewarding their success with additional funds which they need and have requested in order to continue the successful effort and ensure that the gains are not reversed. It makes no sense to recognize Bolivia's successful efforts, thank them for all they are doing to help protect American citizens from drugs and then not continue to help them finish the job they set out to do. I hope that our Administration understands this and that if and when they send a request for additional counter narcotics assistance to the Congress they consider including some level of additional assistance for Bolivia.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to J. William ``Bill'' Little, who will retire as City Manager of Camarillo, California, this month after bringing it back from the precipice of bankruptcy. As a former mayor of a neighboring city, I know firsthand how important it is to have someone of Bill Little's caliber at the helm. He is a low-key taskmaster who works quietly and effectively to ensure necessary assignments are accomplished. Eleven years ago, Camarillo suffered a $25 million loss to bad investments. Its budget was bleeding. The employee pension fund was bare. Then the city hired Bill Little. Today, the city of 62,500 is thriving. In 1987, the city brought in $2.5 million in sales taxes. In 1998 it took in $6.3 million, thanks in large part to the upscale outlet mall and other retail endeavors Bill Little brought to Camarillo. Its credit rating has rebounded. It has money to spend to better the community. Although Camarillo has long been in the center of the urbanized stretch of Ventura County, meeting planners previously bypassed it for ``more suitable'' locales. Today, Camarillo is recognized as a fine place to bring the east and west together. Under Bill Little's guidance, it has also become a center for high-tech firms. Only a person with the rare gifts of both vision and ability could have made it happen. After tightening the city's belt and making it solvent, Bill Little led the way toward rebuilding the city's infrastructure, including a new water treatment plant and police station. Streets were widened, three interchanges off the Ventura Freeway were added, and the county was persuaded to build a new fire station in the city. Those improvements made the city much more attractive to commerce, and commerce has responded enthusiastically. Bill Little is also largely responsible for bringing Ventura County's first four-year university to Camarillo, a facility that will improve the educational and job opportunities for Ventura County residents for decades to come. Bill and wife Mary will remain in Camarillo after he retires, enjoying the community he raised up from near catastrophe. The city owes Bill Little a debt of gratitude, but he's not one for such sentiments. He says he was just doing his job, but he did it quite well. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating Bill Little for proving that the seemingly impossible can be done, for improving the lifestyle for the City of Camarillo and for all of Ventura County, and for accomplishing it all with understated class.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the energy and dedication that Lorraine ``Lorrie'' Nelson, a fifth-grade teacher in my district, brings to her classroom and her profession. The Poinsettia Elementary School educator was honored this week as Ventura County's Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Nelson was raised to be a teacher, although she didn't realize it until she was engrossed in law school. Her parents encouraged the young Lorrie and her brother to engage in family discussions, to ask questions and expect answers. She learned to listen from her parents' example. Now, after some 10 years of encouraging other young minds to learn. Mrs. Nelson couldn't see herself doing anything else. Children in the Ventura Unified School District who have experienced her lesson plans calls her ``funny'' and even ``crazy.'' But it's fun with a purpose. Mrs. Nelson encourages her students to set high standards and helps them achieve them. She believes teachers should be skillful in the topics they teach our children, a subject I have strongly supported legislatively for several years. To achieve her goal, Mrs. Nelson directed the Ventura Unified Writing Project from 1993 to 1997. The Writing Project is a mentoring program for teachers who write extensively, demonstrate instructional techniques and examine research in the teaching of writing. This past summer, Mrs. Nelson taught a two-week course titled ``Integrating Standards with Inspirational Teaching.'' She has been a presenter for the South Coast Writing Project Summer Institutes for the Ventura Unified School District and Santa Barbara School Districts, in such topics as Writing Workshop, Writing Response and Reading Comprehension. In the fall, she will work the Shoah Foundation to develop a curriculum for oral histories of Holocaust survivors. She is, of course, a published writer. But her real accomplishments are in inspiring her students. One way she has done that is by pairing her students with some influential adults--their parents--in a writing program suitably titled ``Family of Writers.'' Not surprisingly, Mrs. Nelson has garnered numerous honors, starting with her first year of teaching, when she was recognized as the Ventura Unified School District Sallie Mae First Year Teacher of the Year. Mr. Speaker, Ventura County has rightly honored Mrs. Nelson as the model other educators should strive to be. She holds her students accountable in a fun, productive learning environment. She holds herself and her peers accountable by stressing the skills teachers need to be effective educators. Next month, Mrs. Nelson will compete for California Teacher of the Year. Win or lose, education will always be victorious in her classroom. Mrs. Speaker, I'd like to close with Mrs. Nelson's own thoughts, her closing words in her Professional Biography. After hearing these words, I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating her for her award and thank her for dedicating herself to our children. ``Even though students leave my classroom with beautifully bound poetry anthologies, framed self-portraits, and cherished pet beetles, my greatest contribution as a teacher is invisible. Students leave with an understanding that their opinions are important. They know that life is a process of learning, questioning and revising. They become lifelong learners.` We couldn't ask for anything more.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Ryan W. Clark, a young man who has already proven his courage, his selflessness and his dedication to others, and who will be rightfully honored with the Medal of Valor by the Los Angeles Police Department on Wednesday for placing his life on the line to rescue a fellow officer. In October, he will be honored by President Clinton with the ``Top Cop'' Award. At 26, Ryan has already experienced more than may people twice his years. He enlisted in the Army in 1991 after graduating from St. Bonaventure High School in Ventura, California, and was assigned to the famed 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After his first enlistment ended, he joined the Los Angeles Police Department. It wasn't his first taste of law enforcement, however; he volunteered as a Ventura County Sheriff's Department Explorer Scout from age 15 to 17. In May of 1997, Ryan braved a barrage of bullets in a darkened warehouse while attempting to save a fellow officer. It is every officer's nightmare to have to respond to a call of an officer down, as Ryan and several other LAPD officers did on that fateful day. As they entered the darkened building, they came under fire from a barricaded gunman. Despite the extreme danger, Ryan and other officers laid down a barrage of fire of their own as they tried to advance to their fallen comrade. Ryan's partner was hit by gunfire, and during the officers' forced retreat, Ryan further jeopardized his own safety by dragging his partner from harm's way. Then Ryan and other officers made a second assault. The gunman was killed. Unfortunately, the officer they were trying to save also died. Ryan has since left the Los Angeles Police Department and has returned to the Army, where he has completed training as a medical specialist. He will return to the 82nd Airborne next month. Ryan's wife, Laura, thinks jumping out of airplanes is only a bit more safe than his law enforcement career. The couple have one daughter. Mr. Speaker, Ryan epitomizes the kind of person we hold high when we point to our police officers and military personnel. To risk one's own life to save another's is the greatest act of heroism. I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating Ryan for the honors he will receive and in thanking him for his dedication to preserving life and upholding the ideals of the United States.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, on September 15, five of the nations of Central America will celebrate their respective independence days. As Chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, I want to congratulate the nations of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua on the occasion of this day and to call to the attention of the Members of the House the great progress which the region as a whole has made toward peace, stability and democracy. The historic signing of the Guatemala Peace Accords two years ago ushered in a period in which for the first time in almost forty years, the entire central American region has been at peace. Even more significant is the fact that democracy has taken firm root as evidenced by the fact that every current government in the region has been elected in what have been determined to be free and fair elections by both domestic and international observers. Recently, the people of El Salvador celebrated their continued commitment to strengthening their democracy when they went to the polls in their Presidential elections and selected Francisco Flores to lead the nation into the new millennium. In November, the people of Guatemala will also have the chance to demonstrate their commitment to the democratic process when they will go to the polls in the first Presidential election since the end of the civil war and the signing of the peace accords. The economies of these nations which were served a severe setback last Fall when Hurricane Mitch devastated the region, seem to be making a solid comeback as growth, albeit slow, is being achieved through a combination of liberalization, modernization and privatization. The peoples of the entire region should be commended for their resiliency in the wake of such a total tragedy. Further, it would appear that in general, an awareness and respect for human rights is on the increase. Nowhere has this been more obvious than in Honduras and especially in Guatemala where that nation has opened itself to a comprehensive review and scrutiny of its past human rights record. Significant U.S. financial commitment to this process as well as to programs we are funding in Nicaragua and El Salvador are clearly helping make these efforts successful. And finally, the militaries of several of these nations seem to have accepted their new roles in a democracy and under civilian leadership. This has been the case in Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua and was especially true during the post-Hurricane Mitch rebuilding effort. This is not to say that there are not problems. Drug use and crime seem to be on the increase everywhere and nagging problems of poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and infant mortality persist. But on the whole, Central America has moved beyond the crisis period of the past fifteen years and has given us great cause for optimism. Mr. Speaker, while I speak of the important progress Central America is making in the support of democracy, I would be remiss if I failed to mention Panama as well. As the House knows, Presidential elections were recently held in Panama and, like its other neighbors, free, fair and transparent elections were also the rule of the day. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the people of Panama as well for their commitment to the democratic process and to congratulate President Moscoso on her election as the first female President of Panama. We want to wish her well and offer our Subcommittee's help in any way to continue a strong U.S.-Panama relationship into the new millennium. Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of the celebration of their independence, I want to congratulate each of these nations for the progress they are making and to express my hope that they continue on this impressive path. All of the nations and people of Central America should be proud of what they have accomplished to date. We encourage them to continue down this path and we continue to offer our strong encouragement and assistance.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor my good friend M.L. ``Lin'' Koester, who will retire tomorrow as the Chief Administrative Officer for the County of Ventura, California. Lin is one of those exceptional administrators whose special talent is recognizing, and motivating, talent in others. Many of those who worked for him during his 16-year tenure as City Manager of the City of Simi Valley, California, are now city managers in cities across California and the West. It would not be an exaggeration to say he has had a positive influence on elected officials as well. I had the pleasure of serving with him during my entire time on the Simi Valley City Council, including two terms as the city's first elected mayor. I moved on, as did many others who worked with Lin. Others who served on the Simi Valley City Council during Lin's tenure have gone on to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, the California Assembly and the California Senate. Lin is a quiet administrator who would be the last to tout his own accomplishments. His accomplishments are many. In Simi Valley, Lin earned a reputation as a fiscally responsible manager who kept the city in the black during economically trying times while still providing essential services to residents. With an engineer's eye for details and a discipline born from a stint as a U.S. Navy submarine officer, Lin steered the council through the financing of a new City Hall, the Senior Center, a DMV office and a Cultural Arts Center. Lin was also among those instrumental in the decision to build the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. The Ventura County Board of Supervisors was wise to hire Lin as their CAO in 1995. During his tenure, he eliminated a projected General Fund imbalance, consolidated the Human Resources Department and Chief Administrative Office, and revamped the annual budget process. In addition, he initiated a county-wide technology upgrade and policy guidelines. Lin is a modest man and an effective and efficient administrator. But, above all, it is his loyalty as a friend that I treasure most. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in recognizing M.L. ``Lin'' Koester for his decades of dedicated service and in wishing him and his family Godspeed in his retirement.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, Judie Sedell of Simi Valley, California, says she just loves chasing criminals. She's good at it, too, which is one of the reasons this mother of two grown children recently was honored by the Ventura County Probation Agency as its Deputy Probation Officer of the Year. Now in her 21st year as a probation officer, Judie not only is an exceptional probation officer, she is an exceptional person. Not only does she have the respect of her colleagues in the criminal justice system, she also has gained the admiration of her clients, even when they fail to stay on the right side of the law. In fact, Judie handles some of the highest-risk offenders, including rapists and armed robbers, and makes more arrests than any other officer in her unit. Her success is due to hard work, a wonderful sense of humor and her ability to treat her clients with a combination of firmness, empathy, respect and dignity. She recently was observed joking with a convicted felon who had violated his probation. She gave him a candy bar, and, a short while later, told him he was under arrest. When she handcuffed him, he reacted calmly because he knew Judie was only doing her job because he had failed to do his. Judie's supervisor describes her as a consummate team player, a role model for novice officers and a source of amazement for veterans who cannot figure out how she maintains her enthusiasm. A former social worker, Judie says she finds great satisfaction in protecting her community while helping felons to lead productive lives after being imprisoned. ``It doesn't happen very often, but when you see someone's life turn around, it's an extremely rewarding experience,'' Judie recently told her local newspaper. I am proud to say that Judie Sedell not only is an outstanding constituent, she and her husband Mike, Simi Valley's city manager, are also my friends. I urge my colleagues to join me in wishing her many more years of continued success.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor my good friend Jerry L. Gladden, who will retire this month after 30 years, 1 month, 2 weeks and 6 days with the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. For more than 20 years, Jerry has served as general manager for the district and clerk of the board, leading the district capably and efficiently through several financial crises as he continued to see that Simi Valley and Oak Park, California, has superb parks and recreational programs. Jerry has contributed to the community in many other ways as well. He was president of the Simi Valley Noontime Lions Club from 1976 to 1977. Since 1979, he has been a member of the Simi Valley Rotary Club, for which he has chaired several committees. He is a former member of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce and served on the United Way Allocations Committee for seven years. But Jerry's greatest legacy will be the recreational opportunities he created and maintained. A general manager's greatest challenge is to keep his agency solvent. When money became tight, Jerry helped form the Rancho Simi Foundation, a non-profit organization with the responsibility of raising funds to help support recreation programs. He pushed for a continuing grant program, which has brought in more than $6.2 million to the Park District during the past 25 years. He is responsible for establishing a lease/operator concession program that generates more than $1 million for the district each year. He also found ways to cut insurance premiums for the district. In addition, Jerry established a volunteer program with a core of more than 200 volunteers who clear trails, clean parks, perform clerical work and help run youth programs. He also established a fundraising program that has raised more than $40,000 in cash and gifts to help support special events for Simi Valley's youth. Apparently he had too much time on his hands and accepted the position of chief administrative officer for the Rancho Simi Open Space Conservation Agency, a joint powers authority between the Park District and the City of Simi Valley. The agency manages Corriganville Park, an old-time movie ranch that was the model for present-day Universal Studios. Not surprisingly, Jerry has won numerous awards for his hard work, dedication and success. Jerry and his wife, Donna, have three children and four grandchildren. When time permits, he enjoys woodworking and restoring cars. He is also still learning to golf. It is unknown if more time on the greens will actually improve his game. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in recognizing Jerry L. Gladden for his decades of dedicated service and in wishing him and his family Godspeed in his retirement. His dedication to recreational opportunities will be difficult for the Park District to replace.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Chairman, as the chairman of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere of the Committee on International Relations, I stand in opposition to the Moakley amendment and in support of the School of the Americas.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, I rise in support of the amendment offered by the Ranking Democrat of the International Relations Committee and the other cosponsors who have joined in this bi-partisan effort to support a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Colombia. I want to thank the distinguished Chairman of the International Relations Committee, Ben Gilman, for including this important initiative in the en bloc amendment. This amendment condemns the continued violence being carried out by the FARC and ELN guerrillas and the paramilitaries of the United Self- Defense Forces in the conflict and urges the leadership of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia to begin substantive negotiations to end the conflict. I especially want to commend our colleagues, Mr. Ackerman, our Subcommittee's Ranking Democrat, Mr. Ballenger, and Mr. Delahunt, for helping to bring this provision to the Floor. As Subcommittee Chairman I have been very supportive of the counter- narcotics efforts of the Colombian National Police and our own law enforcement agencies to stem the flow of dangerous drugs from Colombia. But despite the valiant efforts of the Colombian Police, who have sacrificed so much in their thus far successful efforts against drugs, I am concerned that their 4,000 strong elite DANTE counter-narcotics force may be no match for the 20,000 strong guerrilla forces of the FARC and the ELN. And, as long as the FARC and ELN continue to use their substantial military power to protect the drug trade, I fear the police will not be able to achieve ultimate success over drugs. Therefore, I believe it is critical that we support the Colombian government's attempts to bring the long and deadly guerrilla insurgency to an end. Despite the recent announcement that the peace talks have been suspended because of the continued violence, a condition which lies squarely on the shoulders of the FARC, it will only be through a negotiated settlement of this insurgency that Colombia can realistically expect to end the violence and turn its full attentions to a nationwide commitment to end the deadly narcotics trade which plagues that nation and brings so much destruction, human suffering and violence to communities around the world. While we should support peace efforts, as embodied in this amendment, we must be firm in condemning the unacceptable kidnappings and violence of the guerrillas and paramilitaries against innocent civilian populations, and especially against human rights workers and American citizens. These unprovoked attacks and acts of violence strain the patience of many Americans and others who are willing to give peace a chance. At the same time, Mr. Speaker, we as a nation, should reassess our current limited support for the Colombian military in the event the peace process fails to bring an end to the violence. The fact that the FARC refuse to enter into a cease fire and continue to attack Colombian government institutions, can only lead one to doubt the sincerity of the FARC's real interest in a peaceful resolution. If this is true, we must help the Colombian government and its military protect the democracy and those freedoms we in this country so cherish. This amendment expresses our support for the efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict being pursued by President Pastrana and will help him in those efforts. Mr. Chairman, I urge the House to adopt this amendment.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Ventura County, California, Undersheriff Richard S. Bryce, who will retire next month after a long, honorable and distinguished career. Undersheriff Bryce accomplished much in his more than three decades with the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, but will perhaps be remembered most for three particular achievements: He spearheaded California legislation that permitted the merging of the Marshal's Offices into the Sheriff's Departments; he is recognized as an expert on jail operations and management, providing court testimony and conducting seminars throughout the Western United States on custody issues; and he provided leadership in management of the department's budget and in the fight to win passage of California's Proposition 172, which ensured the continued funding for the department and other local public safety agencies. Richard Bryce began his law enforcement career in 1965 as a reserve deputy. After his appointment as a deputy sheriff on April 22, 1966, he embarked on a number of diverse assignments as he rose through the department's ranks. He was a patrol deputy, a staff officer at the Ventura County Police and Sheriff's Academy, a burglary detective and narcotic detective. As an administrative sergeant, he served at the Jail Honor Farm and in the Civil Bureau. He was a facility lieutenant at the Oxnard Branch Jail, a Civil Bureau lieutenant for Court Services, and a narcotic lieutenant for Special Services. In 1982, Richard Bryce was promoted to commander of the special Services Bureau, which oversees the department's investigation units. In 1986, then-Sheriff John Gillespie appointed him assistant sheriff, and in 1993 he was appointed undersheriff by then-Sheriff Larry Carpenter. Richard Bryce's peers have consistently described him as ``loyal, ethical, professional, articulate, and conscientious.'' Ventura County's undersheriff holds a master's degree in public administration, a bachelor's degree in political science and an associate's degree in administration of justice. He and Loretta have been married for more than 30 years. They have two children, Jeffrey and Kimberly. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in recognizing Richard S. Bryce for his decades of dedicated service and in wishing him and his family Godspeed in his retirement. His dedication to public safety and his community will be missed.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. I rise, as author of House Resolution 25 and as Chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, in support of H. Res. 25 which congratulates the governments of Ecuador and Peru for ending their long and violent border dispute. For as far back as Spanish colonial times, Ecuador and Peru have disagreed over the border separating their two countries. Ecuador had always hoped to maintain a border which would give them access to waterways to the Amazon River and a commercial link to the Atlantic. In 1942 a Rio Protocol, which favored the Peruvian claim, was signed between the two nations and guaranteed by four nations including the United States. Despite the international guarantee, the dispute was never resolved. Over the course of the past 50 years, both countries have engaged in violent military clashes with the most recent one taking place in 1995 resulting in dozens of deaths on both sides. In 1998, with both countries experiencing an economic downturn and both sides desiring to ease the military tensions, President Fujimori of Peru and newly elected President Mahuad of Ecuador decided to take matters into their own hands to resolve the crisis. After months of personal diplomacy by the two leaders, a final resolution was presented by the Guarantor nations and both Presidents signed the border agreement. H. Res. 25 recognizes the achievement of this peaceful resolution of the dispute and congratulates the personal diplomacy of both Presidents as being instrumental in resolving this issue. It also commends the work of the United States, Brazil, Argentina and Chile in helping to develop the final agreement. I want to thank the distinguished Chairman of the International Relations Committee, Ben Gilman, for helping to bring this measure to the Floor for consideration and I urge the House to pass this resolution.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Chairman, no.

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Chairman, would the gentleman please repeat his question? I am sorry, I did not hear it.

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Chairman, my amendment targets one of the most central causes of violence among young persons, the proliferation of violent street gangs. My amendment will give law enforcement an important tool to fight this growing problem by attacking the lifeblood of gangs, the recruitment of young, impressionable members. The amendment would make it a Federal crime to use interstate or foreign commerce to recruit a person to join a criminal street gang for the purpose of having that person commit a serious felony. It would impose a prison sentence of 4 to 10 years for the recruitment of a minor into a criminal street gang, and for the recruitment of an adult to commit a serious crime, the amendment imposes a sentence of 1 to 10 years. This provision was included in S. 254, the companion Senate bill dealing with juvenile crime by the chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary Orrin Hatch. The language was drafted jointly with Senator Feinstein and Senator Hatch. Senator Feinstein first included this provision in the Federal Gang Violence Act of 1996 after lengthy discussions with California law enforcement officials. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is necessary because gangs are no longer just a local problem involving small groups of teenagers. Instead, gang organizations have become national and in some cases international in scope. A nationwide survey conducted last year by the Department of Justice found that there was an estimated 25,000 gangs with 652,000 gang members operating in the United States. Many are sophisticated crime syndicates that regularly cross State lines to recruit new members and traffic drugs, weapons, and illegal aliens. They also steal, murder, and intimidate State and Federal witnesses. Despite the downturn in violent crime nationally, gangs continue to expand their criminal operations into new areas. Here are just a few examples: The Gangster Disciples, a Chicago-based gang, has 30,000 members, operates in 35 States, traffics in narcotics and weapons, and has an estimated income of $300,000 per day. The 18th Street Gang, based in Los Angeles, now deals directly with the Mexican and Colombian drug cartels and has expanded its operation to Oregon, Utah, El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico. And finally, the Bloods and Crips have, according to the FBI and local law enforcement agencies, spread their tentacles from California to more than 119 cities in the West and Midwest. One of the ways in which these and other gangs expand is by recruiting children into the criminal enterprise and indoctrinating them into a life of crime. In addition, by having children and teenagers actually do the gang's dirty work, the gang's leaders, many of whom are adults, are able to evade conviction. This amendment focuses on this problem by giving the Federal law enforcement officials the ability to prosecute gang leaders for the recruitment of new members with the intent of having them commit gang crimes. I urge the Members to support this bipartisan common-sense crime fighting provision. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.