Jim Gibbons

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, the Washington Times has reported that the Clinton administration is planning to ban public use on 5 million acres of public land before the 2000 presidential election. Now, why would this President deny Americans the right to use their public lands? Well, the Times says it is to woo environmentalists. Do I need to remind the President that not just environmentalists but conservationists, bird hunters, bird watchers and other outdoor recreationists have all the rights to use that public land as well, and they all have the right to pull the lever on the voting booth. To make matters worse, the President's own Cabinet is acknowledging the recklessness of this proposal. Secretary Bruce Babbitt is quoted as saying, ``We have switched the rules of the game. We are not trying to do anything legislatively.'' The implication is clear. If Congress does not pass the laws that the President wants passed, then he will make his own laws through regulation, executive orders and policy directives. Therefore, I ask my colleagues to help stop this abuse of executive power, protect our constitutional rights as Members of Congress and support H.R. 1487, the National Monument NEPA Compliance Act.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, today is Cost of Government Day, and as George Bernard Shaw once said, ``A government which robs from Peter to pay Paul can always depend upon the support of Paul.'' Well, the tax paying Americans have been robbed because during the first 173 days of the year, every penny earned by the hard-working men and women of this Nation has been used to pay for government bureaucracy and the added cost of government regulations. It did not go to pay for their kids' education. It did not go to pay for medical costs or expenses. It did not go to pay for the home mortgage. It all went to pay for government bureaucracy and regulatory agencies. Almost one-half of the year's effort of these hard-working Americans was spent just to pick up the tab for government bloated bureaucracy. Decades, decades of unchecked growth and deficit spending by the tax and spenders have left the hard-working men and women of this country with this crushing tax burden. The vast majority of Americans do not object to paying their fair share of taxes, but they do object to the suffocating level of taxation that exists today. Mr. Speaker, for our children's sake, let us allow hard-working families to keep more of their money, not less. Let us stop robbing Peter to pay Paul. I urge my colleagues to support meaningful tax reform this year.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Madam Speaker, all across America we take great pride in the work that our law enforcement personnel offer to our cities, local communities, counties and States. Today on Capitol Hill, we pay tribute to a retiring Capitol Police officer, Mr. Keith Pickett. Mr. Pickett will be retiring this Saturday after 27 years of dedicated and valiant service to this body. His on-the-job duties have been coupled with his strong involvement and commitment to the United States Capitol Police Retirement Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the American Legion. While serving the American Legion, Officer Pickett worked to raise money for Heroes, a benefit for survivors of slain police officers and firefighters. Officer Pickett also served his Nation proudly in the United States Army before serving the occupants and visitors of our Nation's Capitol, this very building that symbolizes the freedom he protects. Here, at the center of freedom in Washington, D.C., we all wish Officer Keith Pickett a fond farewell and many thanks for his 30 years of service to the Federal Government. Officer Pickett, along with all of my colleagues in the House, I salute you for the many years of invaluable service you have provided your Nation and your fellow officers. We offer you our thanks and our best wishes as you enter this new era of your life.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, here we go again. The Clinton administration is planning to ban the public use on over 5 million acres of public land in six States. ``Why?'', my colleagues ask? Well, it seems to appease the liberal extremists, the environmentalists and specific special environmental interests before the 2000 presidential elections. Why would this administration deny all Americans, young and old, the right to recreate on their public lands? Why would they want to stop recreation, hunting, fishing, horseback riding and biking? Is there a goal to turn our public lands into a museum? The President wants to use his authority under the Antiquities Act to stop and prohibit every type of recreational use except walking and, get this, meditating, on these 5 million acres. The Clinton administration claims to know what is best for our public lands, but it's plain to see that they know nothing about management, about multiple use, about the right of my constituents to use their public lands for recreational purposes. The administration should be ashamed for using our Nation's environmental laws as political tools and, not to mention, a means to preserve the assets across this country.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend and colleagues for yielding and applaud him on his leadership on this issue. Mr. Chairman, of course, this issue is one of fundamental fairness. The basic tenet of all our judicial system is the right to a speedy trial. The addition of these Federal judges will allow not only Florida, Arizona, and Nevada, who are rapidly growing; in fact Nevada has one of the highest growth-rate cities in the Nation, to be able to compete with that and complete that speedy-trial requirement. The Federal average caseload is about 400 cases per judge. In Nevada, the caseload per active judge is about 863. These two new Federal judges for Nevada will allow for Nevada to compete with that fundamental fairness and justice. I urge the passage of this amendment.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, today Congress will honor a true American legend with the Congressional Gold Medal. Many refer to Rosa Parks as the First Lady of Civil Rights and the Mother of the Freedom Movement because she refused to yield her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955 and was arrested. That silent protest by Parks, who is now 86 years old, set in motion a year-long bus boycott by African Americans and a rethinking and elimination of Alabama's segregation law. On November 13, 1956, the Supreme Court ruled that the law in Alabama was unconstitutional; and the buses were desegregated. As an original cosponsor of the legislation awarding the Gold Medal to Mrs. Parks, I feel that this is a distinct honor and privilege to participate in the process to bestow one of the Nation's highest tributes upon this courageous lady. Her contribution to the Freedom Movement helped pave the way for civil rights and equal treatment in America. To Mrs. Parks: I salute you and the significant contributions you have made to this great country. Thank you.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, today, along with my constituents of the Second Congressional District of Nevada, I want to pay tribute to our Nation's great flag. Since the day Betsy Ross became the most famous seamstress in American history, ``Old Glory'' has changed about 27 different times, but changing only in its glorious appearance. While our Nation has progressed and even grown over the past 2\1/2\ centuries, our flag continues to represent the same ideals, freedoms, and liberties we all cherish. But even further, the American flag represents the hopes and dreams of millions of people around the world. Our flag greets us when we arrive at our place of business. It greets our children when they arrive at school. Even out in the ballpark on a warm summer afternoon, ``Old Glory'' waives gallantly before us. Today, like any other day in Congress, we pledge our allegiance to the flag before addressing the issues that affect the very freedoms and liberty for which our flag stands. So as we settle in on this week of work, let us each take an extra moment today to recognize ``Old Glory,'' for we are all blessed to live under the freedoms and liberties for which the stars and stripes stands.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Madam Speaker, as Congress prepares to debate the juvenile crime legislation next week, I would like to highlight the extraordinary efforts of an individual in the State of Nevada. Mark Marshall, of the Carson City Sheriff's Department, was honored this week by the Carson City International Rotary Club as Law Enforcement Officer of the year because he established a proactive campaign of gang suppression for the city and the Sheriff's Department. These results have been recognized nationwide and have greatly benefited the troubled youths in the area. As a Vietnam veteran, he courageously served his country overseas and now serves the people back home in the State of Nevada. In an era where brainstorming runs rampant on how to curb gang violence, Mark has stepped to the forefront to take on this difficult task. His nearly 15 years of service to the people of Carson City has earned him this prestigious award. Along with his colleagues and the public he serves, I extend my best wishes and congratulations to this fine peace officer, his wife, Jennifer, and their two daughters, Elizabeth and Sarah. Mark, we are all proud of your accomplishments.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Madam Speaker, the Air Force has a motto of ``service before self.'' That is a fitting description of the 204 members of the 820th Red Horse Combat Engineer squadron from Nellis Air Force Base, who will be departing for Albania very soon. Their mission will be to repair critical roads and bridges to help prepare the way for a safe and expeditious return of the Kosovar refugees who were displaced from their homes in this unfortunate conflict. Having seen the environment that they will be working in firsthand, I can tell my colleagues that their work will be challenged. However, I am very confident that their skills, training, and motivation will be equal to the task. As the struggle for a peaceful solution to the Kosovo conflict is played out on the TV and in our newspapers, it is the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who continue to work hard in the background, focused on accomplishment of their mission. I want to say thanks to all our troops deployed in support of Operation Allied Force and to the men and women of the 820th Red Horse Squadron, their families and loved ones. Good luck in your deployment. Godspeed. A quick return. But most importantly, thank you for your service and sacrifice for this nation.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

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

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Chair's approval of the Journal.

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

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, the Committee on Commerce recently amended H.R. 45, the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1999 to exempt the $8 billion Nuclear Waste Fund from the Budget Enforcement Act. So what does this mean? Well, this move to take the nuclear waste budget off-budget would open the floodgates for unrestricted, uncontrolled spending. By taking H.R. 45 off-budget, we will permit funding increases without the necessary offsets and provide for little or no congressional oversight and accountability, all in the name of nuclear waste. By fragmenting the budget to accommodate nuclear waste interests, we would set a dangerous precedent that every other trust fund would undoubtedly attempt to follow. As Members of Congress, we should be concerned about any erosion of our commitment to budget discipline. Let us not forget that there are several hundred trusts and special funds in existence today, with only Social Security and the Postal Service receiving this special status of off-budget. I would encourage my colleagues to uphold their commitment to fiscal responsibility and vote ``no'' on H.R. 45. Let us not make nuclear waste more important than our Social Security, Medicare, seniors and children.

Mr. GIBBONS

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

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule and the underlying legislation, H.R. 150. I want to thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding time to me to speak on this bill, and I want to congratulate the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth) for his vision and forthrightness and commitment in bringing this bill before the floor. Mr. Speaker, I represent the Second Congressional District of Nevada. It has numerous communities that are land-locked by the Federal government, Federal land, including Forest Service lands. We have several rural communities that have very little private land from which to expand or build new schools. For example, let me take one of the counties which I represent. It has an area of approximately 10,000 square miles. That is bigger than the State of Maine. It has 98 percent of that land being owned, operated, and managed by the Federal government. That leaves 2 percent of 10,000 square miles to pay for education, for the infrastructure, highways, for police and fire services, and all of the other county and local community needs. They are not able to reach out and improve their economic and financial base without H.R. 150. Let me say that that 2 percent is not enough to support many of these counties. What we are asking for here is 80 acres at a maximum, that is 80 acres for this one county out of 10,000 square miles; 80 acres, not a lot. Without this legislation, there is no chance for these people to build new schools, to expand their community for their children, and to improve the future for their children. H.R. 150 is a commonsense proposal to enhance the education of our children, not just in Nevada, not just in Arizona, but across America, as well. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 150, the rule and the underlying bill. Again, I want to congratulate the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth).

Mr. GIBBONS

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

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker pro tempore's approval of the Journal.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor and pleasure to come to the floor today and congratulate one of my constituents for his efforts in the French Open, and one effort which was described as one of the greatest moments ever seen in sports. Nevada's most famous tennis superstar, Andre Agassi, yesterday earned a very special spot in tennis history, becoming the fifth man in history to win four Grand Slam victories. Yesterday millions around the world watched Andre's impressive two- sets-down come-from-behind victory. In his own words, Andre, a No. 1 who dropped out of the top 100 not long ago and has steadily climbed back into the top 25 said, ``What I have managed to accomplish is astounding. This was the greatest thing I could ever do.'' So to Andre Agassi and his proud parents, Mike and Betty, and on behalf of the very proud State of Nevada, I want to congratulate you and wish you continued success. Nevada is indeed very proud of your accomplishments, and proud to call you one of our own.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, my parents told me that the best security is a bright light. Americans want to know if the Chinese nuclear arsenal was built on the genius of American scientists and on the backs of the American taxpayers. Our counterintelligence at the Department of Energy has been a specific concern of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for some time, and we all deserve answers. This Congress must pursue investigative public hearings based on information provided by the Cox Committee that examines Chinese- directed espionage against the United States, including efforts to steal nuclear and military secrets; that will examine Chinese-directed covert action type activities conducted against the United States, such as the use of agents to influence and efforts to subvert or otherwise manipulate the U.S. political process. Mr. Speaker, Motel 6, I think, has a motto: We'll keep the lights on.'' Unfortunately, the White House has turned the lights off, and now our national security is at stake. America deserves answers, and that is what they shall get. I yield back to America all the lights they may need and any national security we have left.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, ``The Phantom Menace'' is the title to the new popular Star Wars movie. But it might also be an apt description of the Chinese espionage efforts against the United States as outlined in the Cox Report. Unlike this popular movie, however, this Chinese espionage is not fiction, and it may have far-reaching national security consequences long into the future. It has taken nearly 5 months of struggle and arguing with the Clinton administration to release the Cox Report. Mr. Speaker, for myself and the many concerned Nevadans that I represent, all I can say is, it is about time. It is about time that the American people found out if China's nuclear arsenal was built from the genius of the American people, on the backs of the American taxpayer. It is about time that the Americans learn if the U.S. nuclear weapons labs will meet even minimum security standards some time next year. But it is ultimately about time that this administration accepts responsibility for its years of inaction in this unfortunate situation, and has the intestinal fortitude to make the appropriate changes. I yield back this Chinese spy menace, Mr. Speaker, and hopefully today the phantoms will be revealed. It is about time.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, when I was a young child, people used to say that little green men lived on Mars and the moon was made of cheese. That is when fantasies and rumors were the tools that shaped opinions and science was the unattainable. Unfortunately, many of my colleagues look at transporting and storing high-level nuclear waste in Nevada in much the same way. Fantasy and nonsense have no place in scientific studies, studies which prove that a repository site at Yucca Mountain is 10 times more prone to earthquakes and lava flows than government scientists previously estimated, studies that show Nevada ranks third in the Nation for current earthquake activity and has experienced over 650 earthquakes in the last 20 years. That means with over 30 earthquakes a year. Clearly Yucca Mountain is not suitable and is one of the worst places to store the deadliest material ever created by man. The space program proved that the moon is not made of cheese and that little green men do not live on Mars, and if the DOE properly addresses this new scientific information as the law requires them to do, they will not force green people to live in Nevada. Mr. Speaker, oppose H.R. 45 and place true science before fantasy, misinformation and conjecture.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), chairman of the Committee on Resources, and the 183 Members who are cosponsors of H.R. 883, the American Land Sovereignty Protection Act. It is time that the Congress reclaim its authority granted under the Constitution to make decisions over lands belonging to the United States. The United Nations has absolutely no right to make land designations for America's liberty bell, our Independence Hall, or the Statue of Liberty, or for that matter, any land management decisions for our national parks like the Grand Canyon or Yosemite. Former Ambassador Jeanne Kirkpatrick said it best: ``What recourse does an American voter have when U.N. bureaucrats from Connecticut or Iraq or Libya have made decisions that unjustly damage his or her property rights that lie near a national park?'' It is time that this Congress reclaim its constitutional authority and it is time that America reclaims her lands. I encourage Members to join me in supporting H.R. 883, the American Land Sovereignty Protection Act. Mr. Speaker, I yield back any constitutional authority we may have left.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, Lincoln once said, ``United we stand, divided we fall.'' Well, that old adage is quite appropriate to the Kosovo crisis, and I am sure Mr. Milosevic understands it very well. Just take a look at NATO. The British are calling for ground troops and a summer invasion of Yugoslavia; while the Germans, the Finns, and the Italians are openly opposed to ground troops and are engaged in a hectic peacekeeping effort calling for a pause in the NATO bombing. Meanwhile, the European Union leaders met with Russian delegates with very little progress, and no signs of any agreement on how to proceed. Now, on the other hand, the Clinton administration may or may not be opposed to ground troops. It certainly does not support a bombing pause. Now, is anyone else confused? Mr. Speaker, one week ago 11 Members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, tried to provide the administration with a simple framework for peace in Kosovo, in complete cooperation with the Russian Duma. The administration, however, came out whining about freelance diplomacy, but sadly they have completely missed the point. Our bipartisan effort is simply an attempt to get the Clinton administration and the rest of NATO singing off the same sheet of music, and to bring solidarity, consensus, and a peaceful conclusion to this confusing crisis.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to urge my colleagues to support the emergency supplemental bill because this vote will be the first step in putting this Nation's military back on its feet. America's military is today a hollow force, due in fact to 14 years of consecutive cuts in defense spending while our military operations have increased 300 percent. For example, Allied Force is the 33rd deployment of U.S. armed forces in the last 9 years. Our military men and women should receive their doctorate degrees in the school of ``doing more and more with less and less.'' Mr. Speaker, I am proud that this Republican Congress has added to the President's defense budget for 4 straight years and that the Committee on Armed Services, in a bipartisan manner, has had the foresight and the will to address these shortfalls. But today is only the first step. Our forces are stretched to the limit, ammunition supplies are depleted, training funds are used to sustain real-world contingencies, recruiting goals are not being met, and weapons procurement has been delayed. A ``yes'' vote sends the right message to our troops and to America's enemies around the world that the American military will be properly equipped, properly trained, and ready. Mr. Speaker, America's security and our military men and women deserve no less.