Jim Gibbons

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, many Nevadans have come to me and said, Jim, I just can't make ends meet. We are paying more and more in taxes. How are we supposed to save for our retirement, pay off our mortgage, or even send our kids to college? Well, Mr. Speaker, these concerns are real. According to the Census Bureau, the average household today pays almost $9,500 in Federal income taxes every year, and that is twice what it paid in 1985. By conservative estimates, the Federal Government will have a record- breaking surplus this year of $5.6 trillion. Now it is time to grant the hard-working Americans the tax relief they so deserve and need. The tax relief package that President Bush has outlined will give $1,600 back to the average working American family of four. This $1,600 could pay their mortgage for a month, help pay off a credit card debt, or the tuition at a community college for one year. The surplus was created by the tax dollars of the American people. It belongs to them. There is no excuse for Congress not to give the hard- working Americans what they want, what they need and what they deserve, a tax break. It is time to give the extra money back.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, last month Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan echoed what this Republican-led Congress has supported for years, that we should pay down our national debt and grant Americans tax relief, instead of increasing the size of the Federal Government. According to the Census Bureau, Mr. Speaker, the average household pays almost $9,500 in Federal income taxes this year, and that is twice what the average family paid in 1985. But we do not only pay Federal income taxes, we pay taxes when we use the phone, buy clothing, pump gas, sell stock, sleep at a motel, ride on an airplane, get married, or even when we die. It is time for hard-working Americans to get a break from all of these taxes. Now is the time. We can enact meaningful tax relief while still remaining fiscally responsible and paying off our national debt. There is no excuse, Mr. Speaker, not to give the Americans what they want, what they need, and what they deserve, a tax break.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tiberi) for granting me the time in which to speak on this important resolution. Today I rise in strong support of the resolution honoring the contributions of Catholic schools to our children and the educational system. As the debate on education continues and reform education continues, I think it is vitally important to recognize people and schools who have succeeded in educating our children. America's Catholic schools are internationally acclaimed for their academic excellence and among the many fine academic Catholic schools in this Nation. In the city of Reno, for example, there is Bishop Manogue High School, which has a long and distinguished record of excellence in their academic and athletic programs. Catholic schools, like Bishop Manogue, emphasize the lifelong development of moral, intellectual, physical, and social values in America's young people. These values are crucial to the future of our Nation, especially as our society tends to grapple with problems like the breakdown of the family and school violence. I want to thank our Catholic schools for their dedication to our children, and I look forward to working with them toward our goal of improving the education of every child. As an original cosponsor of this resolution, I encourage all of my colleagues to strongly support its passage and the contributions that Catholic schools have made to our children and to our Nation.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, first I want to thank my friend and colleague from Colorado for granting me the time to speak on this very important issue this evening. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me to join my colleagues this evening in recognition of former President Ronald Reagan's 90th birthday. Last year, for his 89th birthday, the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Dunn), the late Senator Paul Coverdell from Georgia and I introduced legislation to bestow the Congressional Gold Medal to President Ronald Reagan and his beloved wife, Nancy, in honor for their individual, and, may I say, combined dedicated service to the United States. I would like, Mr. Speaker, once again to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for joining with me in that tribute, a tribute which touched both President Reagan and Mrs. Reagan very deeply. Upon passage of the Reagan Congressional Gold Medal bill, Mrs. Reagan remarked personally to me, ``It means a lot to us to receive so much support at this difficult time, and we are very honored.'' Yet, Mr. Speaker, and may I say not surprisingly, honor and fame were never the priorities of Ronald Reagan, and his journey to the White House was not marked by a desire for personal power or position of personal privilege. He preferred to see himself, however, as just a simple citizen who was called upon to serve the Nation he so loved. Ronald Reagan truly is a great American in every sense. Led by his belief in the limitless potential of Americans, President Reagan turned the tide of public cynicism and sparked a national renewal. During his 8-year tenure, the United States enjoyed a period of astonishing economic growth, renewed military superiority and international respect. Ronald Reagan's contagious optimism and passionate patriotism served as an inspiration to the entire Nation. Under his leadership, Americans believed once again in that American dream. As we enter the 21st century, Mr. Speaker, our Nation still finds its strength in President Reagan's ideals and his steadfast confidence in democracy, freedom, and America. Often as Americans we look back at our history to learn from our mistakes, but as well as Americans we look back and celebrate our triumphs. The leadership and accomplishments of President Reagan certainly will not be forgotten, for they shaped the country we call home and the world today as we know it. Thank you, President Reagan, for your commitment, dedication, and faith in America and her people. Today as you celebrate your 90th birthday, please know that we wish you and Mrs. Reagan the very best, and we also thank you for distinguished service to our great Nation.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Madam Speaker, this has been an exciting January here in Washington, but as we begin our work of the 107th Congress, it is important that we keep our focus on what we were sent here to do. As Members of Congress, we stood in this Chamber to take our oath of offices, promising to do the will of the American people; and this month we witnessed the inauguration of a new administration, an administration dedicated and committed to leading this Nation with integrity and fairness. Madam Speaker, this 107th Congress has the opportunity to usher in a new era of politics. Together, this Congress and the Bush administration can successfully address the challenges facing our Nation, including ensuring military readiness, providing quality health care for all, and enacting meaningful education reform. We were elected to accomplish these goals, and now it is time for us to do our work and that of the American people.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Madam Speaker, today we begin the 107th Congress, and much work lies ahead of us. It is my hope that we will be able to join together to do the work of the American people who have entrusted us to do just that. The American people want a government which rises above partisan bickering and makes a real commitment to empowering individuals and communities. Our parents, teachers, and schools need the ability and resources to make their own decisions on educating America's children so that no child is left behind and every child has the chance to succeed. Madam Speaker, this Congress must also work to ensure that every American has access to affordable and quality health care. And this Congress should grant the hardworking people of America real relief from overbearing tax burdens they currently face, starting with the elimination of the marriage penalty tax and the death tax. I am confident that we will rise to these challenges and pass responsible legislation which will meet the needs of not only Nevadans but every American.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that on legislative days of Monday and Tuesday during the first session of the 107th Congress: (1) the House shall convene 90 minutes earlier than the time otherwise established by order of the House solely for the purpose of conducting morning-hour debate (except that on Tuesdays after May 14, 2001, the House shall convene for that purpose 1 hour earlier than the time otherwise established by the House); (2) the time for morning-hour debate shall be limited to the 30 minutes allocated to each party (except that on Tuesdays after May 14, 2001, the time shall be limited to 25 minutes allocated to each party and may not continue beyond 10 minutes beyond the hour appointed for the resumption of the session of the House); and (3) the form of proceeding to morning-hour debate shall be as follows: (4) the prayer by the Chaplain, the approval of the Journal, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag shall be postponed until resumption of the session of the House; (5) initial and subsequent recognitions for debate shall alternate between the parties; (6) recognition shall be conferred by the Speaker only pursuant to lists submitted by the majority leader and by the minority leader; (7) no Member may address the House for longer than 5 minutes (except the majority leader, the minority leader, or the minority whip); and (8) following morning-hour debate, the Chair shall declare a recess pursuant to clause 12 of rule I until the time appointed for the resumption of the session of the House.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Madam Speaker, I offer a privileged resolution (H. Res. 11) and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, as the 106th Congress comes to a close, we look to the future; and I see great opportunity before us. Together, we should work to ensure that the 107th Congress meets the needs and fulfills the goals of America's families. For example, currently our families must work until mid May of every year just to pay off their tax bills. Nothing up to that point goes toward savings, investment or other personal expenses. This overbearing tax burden is simply unfair. We need to give American families a break and allow them to keep more of what they earn. It is my hope that the 107th Congress will grant needed tax relief to America's families as well as pass other necessary legislation, including a Medicare prescription drug benefit and real, local-based education reform. I look forward to continuing to work as we begin this session on these issues, and I encourage all Members to join with me to support America's families in the 107th Congress.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, on this day in 1941, Japan attacked and launched a sudden stealth attack on the United States by bombing the naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This sneak attack on Pearl Harbor caused widespread destruction and death, similar to the devastation and destruction that would become an all too unfortunate characteristic of World War II. This day, which will live in infamy, began our Nation's involvement in a war which Americans will never forget. Our World War II veterans served our Nation proudly and made great sacrifices to protect our country and our future. As a veteran myself, I greatly admire the courage and fortitude of those who served in World War II. The United States is the leader of the world today because of their valiant contributions. On this solemn day, Mr. Speaker, I encourage every Member to take a moment and recognize the service and sacrifice of our veterans, especially those Americans who had to witness two world wars in one century. You made our Nation what it is today. We all thank you.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, as we prepare for the 107th Congress, I call upon my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to work with this Republican-led Congress to do the work of the people. On November 7, the people of this country entrusted us with many responsibilities, including passing tax relief, implementing education reform, and ensuring quality and affordable health care for every American. It is time that our hard-working families receive a break from the overwhelming tax burdens preventing many from saving for their child's education or even for their own retirement. It is time that our seniors be able to afford both food and medicine through a voluntary prescription drug benefit under Medicare. And it is time that our teachers and parents, not the Washington bureaucrats, are empowered to provide a quality education for America's children. Working together, in a bipartisan fashion, we can accomplish these goals and many more. It is my hope that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will put political partisanship aside and join with me to do the work of the people.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on S. 1761.

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 1761 will enable the Bureau of Reclamation to develop a program to improve the supply of water in the Lower Rio Grande region of the State of Texas. This action is needed for two reasons. The first concerns local weather patterns. There have been several periods in the last 10 years that rainfall in this area of Texas has been below normal. The second is that Mexico failed from the period 1992 through 1997 to deliver 1 million acre feet of water to the Rio Grande, which is a principal source of water for this area. As of today, that deficit has not been corrected. In addition to setting up the general program, this legislation also provides authorization for four specific projects involving the lining of irrigation canals and substituting pipes for canals. Both will conserve significant amounts of water. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) for his leadership on this important bill before the floor today. I want to ask that all Members give it their full support.

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1761) to direct the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation, to conserve and enhance the water supplies of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, as amended.

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

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Resources be discharged from the further consideration of the Senate bill (S. 1972) to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to the town of Dolores, Colorado, the current site of the Joe Rowell Park, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Resources be discharged from further consideration of the Senate bill (S. 2594) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to contract with the Mancos Water Conservancy District to use the Mancos Project facilities for impounding, storage, diverting, and carriage of nonproject water for the purpose of irrigation, domestic, municipal, industrial, and any other beneficial purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise dismayed and appalled by the illegal sweetheart deals being made by the Department of Energy and the nuclear power industry. These backroom agreements between the Clinton-Gore administration and the nuclear industry ignore the public safety and health of millions of Americans, and run completely contrary to the laws passed by Congress. This Congress has always maintained that any nuclear waste repository project must be based on sound science and safety. However, documents recently released by the DOE show that the Department is not concerned at all with safety or science. Their prime concern is ``selling'' Nevada's Yucca Mountain project as a permanent nuclear waste dump, even though the final suitability studies have not been completed. The DOE has chosen to risk the health and safety of millions of Americans and expose them to a devastating environmental disaster because it is an expedient answer to a problem faced by the nuclear industry. Once again, Mr. Speaker, this administration has misled Congress, ignored the law, and jeopardized the safety of America.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, for the first time in decades, the American voters have reelected a Republican House majority here in four consecutive elections. While the nay-sayers and political pundits have spent 2 years writing off our majority, we have spent 2 years forging a legislative agenda for America's families, an agenda that America has endorsed. The political season, Mr. Speaker, is now over; and the time has come to look ahead. We will continue to work across party lines in a bipartisan fashion to ensure that seniors are secure in their retirement and that every child has a successful education and a safe school and that working families receive long overdue tax relief and that our country's military is indeed ready for any challenge. These are the goals that the American people have entrusted us with, and we are meeting those goals. We stand ready to look forward to working in the 107th Congress to achieve these goals and for the common good of the American people and for the future of our great Nation.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and missed House rollcall Vote No. 590. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, this week we will be considering the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill, and inevitably the debate will arise on funding for education. Yet, this Republican Congress has made the real commitment to educating the children of America. We have increased America's investment in education by 50 percent since taking control of Congress. This year alone education funding has increased by $2 billion. That is 10 percent more than last year. But the dollar figures do not tell the whole story. Our commitment to education lies in the fact that we are committed to supporting our parents, teachers, and local school officials, the people who know our children and what they need. Mr. Speaker, Federal dollars should go straight to the classroom where they can be used for teachers, books, pencils, or computers, whatever needs are best for the education of our students. I urge all of my colleagues to support our efforts, and I yield back the ``Washington knows best'' policy promoted by the Clinton-Gore administration.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Washington Times detailed the story of Shane Walsh, a former first lieutenant in the United States Army. And I say former first lieutenant because Shane Walsh has left the Army. His reason for leaving? Well, the Army he thought it would be and the Army he found it to be were two completely different things. Lieutenant Walsh detailed the demoralizing situation facing our military today. For example, he said how M1A1 tanks sit abandoned with broken starter motors or unused simply because there is not enough money left to fuel them. His story is not unique. Our military is severely burdened by low morale and it continues to lose large numbers of servicemen and women today and every day. The refusal of the Clinton-Gore administration to recognize this and to provide the necessary resources for our military, while still deploying them far and wide, has caused this desperate and disturbing situation. Thankfully, this Republican Congress is truly committed to ensuring our military readiness today and in the future, and we are putting our military back on track with the needed resources to keep it strong and to keep qualified people like Shane Walsh in the military.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Madam Speaker, as the 106th Congress comes to a close, I would like to highlight the achievements of this Republican Congress, achievements which I think make a difference in the lives of millions of Americans. This Republican Congress is paying down the national debt, boosting education funding, and providing prescription drug coverage for millions of seniors, just to name a few of its significant accomplishments. To expand on these, Madam Speaker, we reduced the national debt by more than $500 billion, that is half a trillion dollars, and devoted 100 percent of the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds to strengthen retirement security. Also, Republicans increased funding for education by more than $2 billion over the last year. We have given parents and local school officials, not Washington bureaucrats, more control over Federal education dollars. Madam Speaker, we have also worked to ensure that in America no senior has to choose between putting food on the table and medicine in the cabinet. Our Republican $40 billion plan establishes a voluntary, affordable prescription drug benefit that is available to every senior. I am confident that history will be as good to this Republican-led Congress as we have been to the American people.