Jim Gibbons

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, the cog wheel of liberal logic has just a few teeth missing. It seems that my Democratic colleagues on the other side of the aisle are complaining because Republicans want to use one thin dime of each dollar of the budget surplus to reduce the burden on hard working middle class taxpayers. Of course the liberal Democrats whine and complain because this means they cannot spend money to grow a more expensive, more intrusive Federal bureaucracy. Well because this is not salable to the American public, their latest claim is that they want to use the entire surplus to save Social Security. Mr. Speaker, it is these very same liberals who are the reason Social Security is going bankrupt. They are the ones that continually borrowed from the trust fund to promote their dying social agendas, only to replace the money with their favorite three letters, IOU. Let us allow hard-working Americans to keep some of the money they have earned. Let us allow a couple to marry without being punished by the IRS. Let us allow the self-employed to finally afford health insurance by deducting 100 percent of the cost. Let us support our children, our families, our marriages. Let us support America's future. Mr. Speaker, we can do all this and still save Social Security. No longer is it IOU, but it is our commitment to the future.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, today, yes, the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States in Philadelphia in 1787 should not be an occasion for partisanship. However, we are forced to confront the reality of how liberals and conservatives have two very different views of the Constitution and about the history of the United States. Conservatives have a novel belief that the Constitution actually means what it says. Liberals, on the other hand, are fond of calling the Constitution a ``living document'' that, quote-unquote, evolves over time. The liberal view of the Constitution allows them to interpret the Constitution any way they choose. Conservatives look at the Constitution and believe that its explicit prohibitions on what the Federal Government is allowed to do are a fundamental safeguard of our liberty and protection against too much government. Liberals look at the Constitution and believe that the Federal Government can get involved in every aspect of your life, always, of course with the misguided belief and justification that it is ``for your own good.'' Two different views, views with profound and differing consequences for our liberty.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, there are few issues which separate liberals and conservatives in dramatic fashion. Taxes, of course, is one; and crime is another. But defense and national security issues also illustrate two sharply different visions, different world views, which distinguished conservatives from liberals. Liberals just love arms control agreements. They put almost boundless faith in a piece of paper between America and countries which are hostile to everything we hold dear, and they take great comfort in the ability that these agreements are going to keep America safe. Conservatives, on the other hand, look at all of human history and are skeptical of such agreements, instead placing stronger and greater faith in a strong and secure defense. Given these two world views it is time to reexamine our current vulnerability to ballistic missile attack. There is a piece of paper that exists to assure us that America is safe from a ballistic missile attack, but this is deliberate policy of vulnerability to ballistic missile attack and it is both foolish and dangerous. It is time that conservatives act with prudence and demand that Americans be protected by building a strong national missile defense system.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, this morning I heard a lot of demagoguery from this side of the aisle. And let me say that I am not one to brag about things, but I believe that the Republicans have found a sound, logical, and fair plan to save the Social Security trust fund. Now, we might not be able to eat a pack of crackers and at the same time whistle ``Dixie'', like some of my liberal colleagues, but, Mr. Speaker, Republicans have come up with a plan to save Social Security while at the same time providing tax relief to the American workers. The Republican budget surplus plan, the 90-10 plan, sets aside 90 percent of the general revenue surplus until we make good on our commitment to save Social Security. The other 10 percent will be used for real tax relief to the American working men and women. No smoke and mirrors here, Mr. Speaker. While my liberal Democratic colleagues on the other side of the aisle would like to use the same surplus to fund more of the same bureaucratic nightmare programs that, frankly, make Baby Elmo look like Freddie Kruger, Republicans are fighting to use this money to shore up the Social Security trust fund and provide real tax relief to the American working families. I applaud my Republican colleagues for their hard work on this historic legislation, and I urge all Members in the House to support the 90-10 plan.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, no doubt about it, we are living in a more dangerous world today than ever before. Weapons of mass destruction are possessed and are increasingly available around the world and the violence of terrorism is about to take a step toward us on every day that we possess. A world class military is composed of world class leaders, world class soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. Why then, Mr. Speaker, are the United States pilots saying no to military careers and why are our sailors choosing to get out of the Navy rather than face long months at sea? It is because our military families are being asked to live in substandard housing and to endure long family separations. Even the chairman of the Joint Chiefs has argued that operational readiness, quality of life, and modernization cannot be sustained at current budget levels. A recent internal Army memorandum made it clear that maintaining go- to-war readiness meant sacrificing infrastructure maintenance, as well as repairs and quality-of-life initiatives. The memo's bottom line was clear: Funding has fallen below the survival level. This administration has mortgaged our military and is about to default on the obligation. Mr. Speaker, we have an obligation to provide for the security of our Nation. I urge my colleagues to join me in placing our military back on firm footing to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Our Nation demands it, our military deserves it.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, the strength of this country lies in its families, not in its bureaucracy back here in Washington, D.C., yet the current Federal Tax Code penalizes a husband and wife for jointly filing their tax return. It also penalizes seniors over 65 who earn more than $15,500 by withholding their Social Security benefits. Also, the self-employed can only deduct 45 percent of their health insurance premiums, instead of 100 percent, which is the same tax deduction for anyone who does not have employer-subsidized health insurance. Unfortunately, many of our colleagues on this side of the aisle believe that enacting tax cuts would be equivalent to throwing money away. Mr. Speaker, hard-working families are losing touch with their children because they must work two and three jobs just to pay the bills. Why should American families have to apologize to Washington bureaucrats for keeping some of their hard earned money? Most Americans would agree that buying groceries, paying the house mortgage payment, taking a family vacation or just saving for their family's future, is not throwing money away. Let us give American families a meaningful tax break. Let us give them the opportunity to use their money on their family.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Madam Speaker, whether it is just the pocket change in our purses or pockets, or our Nation's highways and bridges, or our personal computers, minerals are paving our Nation's way into the 21st century. Without the minerals and materials supplied by the mining industry, Americans could not have that small change in their pocket, bridges, roads, or that personal computer. However, the mining industry yields more than just small change. In addition to acquiring metals for coinage, Uncle Sam reaps more than $57 million in annual receipts from the mining industry. This does not include the $27 million in State and local government collections from mining industry revenues. Mining contributions to our Nation do not stop there. Mining in all forms pumps $524 billion into the American economy. That is equivalent, Madam Speaker, to $60 million an hour from mining. Mining matters. It matters to each Member, it matters to Congress, and it matters to every American. I ask my congressional colleagues to join the Mining Caucus.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and friend the gentleman from California (Mr. Kim) as well as my colleague and friend the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant) for their eloquent remarks on this bill. And on behalf of the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Ensign) and myself and the great State of Nevada, I would encourage all of my colleagues to support H.R. 2225 in naming the Federal building and United States courthouse in Las Vegas as the ``Lloyd D. George Federal Building and United States Courthouse.'' It is an honor for me, Mr. Speaker, to come before this body to speak about a man who has given so much not just to the people of the State of Nevada but to the citizens and people of this great country. The naming of this building and this courthouse after Judge George will forever remind the people of Nevada, as well as all Americans, of a truly special man who has dedicated his public service and his personal professional career to the people of this country. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to point out that Judge George served in the service of this country as more than a public service in the judiciary, but also as a man of integrity in military leadership as he was a member of our United States Air Force. I encourage all Members and colleagues to support H.R. 2225 as a fitting way to recognize the honorable and distinguished career of Chief Judge George. Las Vegas, the State of Nevada, and the people of the United States will be very honored to have his name on our new Federal building and courthouse. And so, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill as a true and fitting recognition of the great and honorable service of Judge Lloyd D. George.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, last Friday, the United States Air Force lost 12 brave airmen who specialized in combat search and rescue and special operations missions. These airmen were representatives of the very best of the United States Air Force. They were highly skilled and they were regularly deployed to remote corners of the globe, supporting America's national military strategy. Their unit, the 66th Helicopter Rescue Squadron, based in my district at Nellis Air Force Base, is only one of 2 such units in the United States Air Force. One can find the 66th and their sophisticated H-60 ``Pave Hawk'' helicopters, wherever the action is: Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Turkey; you name it, they are there. These men are part of a proud tradition of military professionals who dedicated their lives to the defense of our country. They paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Each and every American owes them a debt of gratitude for protecting the freedoms we all enjoy. Tomorrow, in a memorial service at Nellis, their families and peers will honor these heroes. Our thoughts and our prayers are with the families today and tomorrow. Mr. Speaker, these men lived up to the 66th Helicopter Rescue Squadron's motto, ``These things we do so that others may live.''

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, well, Saddam Hussein and Iraq are at it again. I am not surprised, are you? It seems that Saddam Hussein has decided to stop cooperating once again with the United Nations weapons inspectors. As expected, the United Nations have offered another olive branch to Iraq if they would just cooperate with the disarmament process. Oh, please, give us a break. At what point is the United Nations going to stop coddling Saddam Hussein? I do not think any of us were surprised at this dictator's last demands. Sadly, I do not think any of us were surprised at the United Nations Secretary General's response either. Iraq is thumbing their nose at the world. They are again ignoring their obligations under the U.N. resolutions, defying the U.S. and playing a very dangerous game, all the while they are insulting our intelligence. Now, barely 6 months after our threat to use force, inspectors have been turned away again, and Saddam is laughing at the world. It is time for this administration to get its head out of the sand and start by developing a real strategy designed to show the world and Saddam that we are serious. Mr. Speaker, I yield back any foreign policy and national security that this Nation may have left.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, we are now living in a world where missile technology is proliferating and the risk of missile attack is increasing each and every day. The United States should be working to eliminate restrictions on the development and deployment of a national missile defense system. Unfortunately, the President and his administration have sought to expand the restrictions and block U.S. missile defense programs. Just last year at the United Nations, a delegation led by our Secretary of State signed three agreements that dealt with the 1972 ABM treaty. Those U.N. agreements threaten America's national security and perpetuate America's vulnerability to a missile attack. While this administration along with four independent states of the former Soviet Union agreed to these restrictions, the remaining 11 states in the former Soviet Union would be free to develop tests and deploy ABM systems. Yes, that is right, they can develop an ABM system, but we cannot. I ask you, Mr. Speaker, why would this administration limit the United States in a program of a missile defense system while enabling others to have it? I believe that those are our rights and freedoms. As far as I am concerned they are not negotiable. The citizens of this Nation deserve the best defense we can provide, not a backroom deal that endangers our national security.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Chairman, I applaud my friend and colleague from Florida for his interest in placing a ban on Internet gambling. This issue not only is very important to the people of Nevada but absolutely is essential to protect American children as well as the integrity of the legalized gambling industry. Allowing gambling to be performed on the Internet would open the floodgates for corruption, abuse and fraud. Internet gambling is a virtual Pandora's box that, if opened, would have an irreversible effect on millions of American people. Banning Internet gaming is necessary to prevent widespread abuse from occurring. Unscrupulous operators could bilk millions of dollars out of unsuspecting customers, leaving the affected without recourse. Another risk presented by Internet gaming involves young children in regulated gaming establishments all across this country. Security guards are required to check by law the identification of anyone appearing to be below the age of 21. With Internet gaming, however, minors, armed with nothing more than a credit card number, could easily access these gaming sites and literally squander their families' savings and income. Mr. Chairman, on the Internet gaming children can establish overseas betting accounts easier than they can sneak into an R-rated movie. With all the rise in computers and Internet access, Internet gaming operations are growing equally as fast. We must not forget that there are millions of innocent users that could become serious victims if we are not careful in managing this incredible tool. There are 50 million households with computers and 25 million of these computers have access to the Internet. Experts are predicting an explosion in the growth of households with Internet access. By the turn of the century, most schools and libraries will be on-line. It is important to recognize that the computer industry is not the only one profiting off of the explosion in computer availability. Internet gaming operations are growing equally as fast. Most would agree that the Internet is a great educational tool and an extremely valuable source for all sorts of information. This resource must be shielded from the dangers associated with its unrestricted use. We must not forget that there are millions of innocent users that could become serious victims if we are not careful in managing this incredible tool. Mr. Chairman, I applaud Mr. Stearns for brining this issue to the House floor.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, well, here we go again. The counterfeit logic of some Washington bureaucrats is once again putting the sovereignty of every state in this Nation at risk. On January 22 of this year, the Secretary of the Interior unilaterally made a regulatory decision that would literally strip every state of their most fundamental rights, rights established under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution. It seems the Secretary's new regulation would give him the sole individual authority to approve Indian gaming in any state. Not the voters, not even the governor, nor the elected officials of that state would have a decision. This unconscionable trampling of the Tenth Amendment is taking reserved rights from us, from our states, from our governor, from our elected officials and unilaterally vesting them in some Washington bureaucrat. Fortunately, the nonpartisan National Gaming Impact Study Commission, which was created by Congress to study the impacts of gaming, made a bold but necessary policy decision telling the Secretary to rein in his proposed Indian gaming rules and to reestablish fair and equitable relationships between the States and respective Indian tribes.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I do not recall precisely what I was doing July 21, but I do recall that I was not celebrating the passage of the Education Savings Accounts, a middle-class and low-income initiative that would have given millions of parents hope, hope for their children's future that they do not now have. I did not celebrate because President Clinton vetoed that legislation on July 21. And the only people who were celebrating that day were here in Washington D.C. That is right, the Washington bureaucrats and the special interests who were responsible for the failed schools in the first place, who were responsible for the need for this legislation, they were celebrating already. They rejoiced in their ability to avoid real reform for one more year. Schools which are laden with education malpractice will continue to avoid accountability. Children who graduate from these schools lacking even a basic competency in math and reading will continue to hold back any nation that is leading the world in science, technology, and innovation. Yes, for the special interests and Washington bureaucrats, it was a time to celebrate. But for the children whose lives are clouded by the lack of hope, it is a sad day indeed.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, H.G. Wells once said, ``Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe.'' Well, two weeks ago special interests, liberals, and the President gave in to catastrophe, putting our children's education, their future, and this Nation at risk. On July 21 of this year, the President dashed the hopes of millions of Americans, the parents of millions of children, by vetoing a bill that would have allowed parents to set up tax-free education savings accounts. It is truly a shame that giving parents more of an opportunity to save for their children's education is now a partisan issue. This unfortunate veto reminds me of a saying from one of my high school Latin classes: ``Via ovicipitum dura est.'' For you rocket scientists out there who never took Latin, ``the way of the egghead is hard.'' The President is now on record as thinking that parents who save for their children's education are doing a disservice to them. This is truly a ridiculous notion. Let us support our children. Let us support their future. I urge all my colleagues not to let catastrophe win but to override the President's veto on education savings.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, of all the gains of our civilization and this great Nation, nothing has propelled the progress of civilization over the centuries as have the products of the mining industry. A great deal of what we see around us, what we hear, what we feel or touch, comes from mining. Mining provides the energy and equipment to grow food, to develop lifesaving devices, to build highways and bridges, and to communicate around the globe. Mining and manufacturing facilities operate in every State and are a vital base to which America's strength and future rely upon. Studies have shown that nearly every Member of Congress has a direct or indirect representation to the mining industry in their districts. In order to responsibly address America's mining and industrial needs, and to promote its capabilities, I rise today to invite my colleagues to join the Mining Caucus. Together we can serve to educate all Members on regulatory and legislative ideas and their impact on the mining industry. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to help establish a strong presence in Congress; one that supports the mining industry, equipment manufacturers, and support service members. Working families in these vital industries are literally the backbone of America. Remember, if it is not grown, it has to be mined. Our life, our job, and our future depend upon it.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Madam Speaker, as Members of Congress, we should always be encouraged when the private sector tackles one of the social problems facing our Nation. Such is the case with the Nation's gaming industry. However, a vast majority of Americans who choose to gamble do so responsibly. In an effort to emphasize the casino gaming entertainment industry's commitment to responsible gaming, the American Gaming Association, along with International Gaming Technology, a company headquartered in my district, has designated August 3 through August 7 as Responsible Gaming Education Week. This campaign was designed to raise the awareness of disordered gaming and to educate casino employees and customers about the importance of responsible gaming. During this week, all casino employees will be asked to actively promote responsible gaming practices within their companies. As part of this effort, over 200,000 educational brochures on disordered gambling and the importance of responsible gaming will be provided to casino employees across America.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, the events of last week simply underscore the fact that we live in a dangerous and unpredictable world. Not only must America respond to local threats, but we must also continue our vigilance to protect our Nation from foreign threats, threats that strike at the heart of this Nation, our very freedom. Time after time, we have been told by the administration that no rogue nation is capable of deploying a nuclear tip or chemical missiles that could strike the American soil by the year 2010. However, the Rumsfeld panel, a distinguished panel which had access to our national security, just released a sobering, independent assessment of the ballistic missile threat facing the U.S. That panel concluded that North Korea and Iran will have the ability to build a long-range nuclear missile by the turn of the century, not more than 2 years away. Last week's successful intermediate range ballistic test by Iran validates the Rumsfeld panel's finding. Iran sent a chilling message to their neighbors and the world that they can strike anywhere in the Middle East with their current technology. The time has come for this Congress and this administration to focus on building and deploying an antimissile defense system to protect the United States from missile attack. Mr. Speaker, the American people deserve no less.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, on this solemn day, I rise to join my colleagues in paying tribute, a special tribute, to the heroic actions of Officer Jacob J.J. Chestnut and Special Agent John Gibson. The quick and professional actions that cost them their lives undoubtedly saved the lives of many innocent people last Friday. My thoughts and prayers, like all Americans, are with their families, friends and fellow officers. As always, the Capitol Police act in a very professional manner and work tirelessly to ensure our safety each and every day. While diligent agents of security, they are also the friendly ambassadors to the emergencies of visitors who come to visit this great building that symbolizes the freedom of our great Nation. While we mourn the tragic deaths of these two men, and rightly so, more importantly we should thank God that two such men once lived. As Members of Congress, we must all take the time out of our hectic schedules to stop and thank them for the daily sacrifices they make to protect the innocent visitors to our Capitol. Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson, thank you for your heroism and your sacrifice. May you rest in peace in God's arms.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, the Democrats have known for a long time that a government that robs from Peter to pay Paul can always depend upon the support of Paul. Our liberal colleagues want to rob the hard working taxpayers of America by taking their tax surplus and giving it to Washington bureaucrats. Not so fast! That tax surplus does not belong to Congress, does not belong to the administration, and does not belong to the bureaucrats. Rather, it belongs to the taxpayers. We must cut taxes so that families can take that much-needed vacation, spend some time with their kids, or even put some money aside for their education. Now, recently, President Clinton labeled this idea of giving back the taxpayer some money the wrong course for America. Well, Mr. Speaker, the American people just are not going to accept the Democrats' liberal spin on this at this time. The Republican Congress is determined to track down the mistakes of 60 years of liberals robbing from Peter to pay Paul. Republicans are determined to save the ship before it sinks from the weight and burdens of excess taxes. Mr. Speaker, I yield back to the American public any much-needed tax break.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Madam Speaker, once again, the counterfeit logic of the Democrats and this President have put the children of America at risk. I am not talking about the sale of classified military technology to China. I am talking about the President's veto of the Education Savings Account bill. Put aside for the moment that this bill would have allowed parents to save for the future education of their children. The bill he just vetoed would have given schools greater leeway to expel and discipline students who bring guns or other weapons to school. The bill he vetoed would have permitted school officials to implement safety measures to protect innocent children. How many times have we all heard the President state that safety at schools was one of his top priorities? Madam Speaker, we can no longer sit idly by while the violence in schools continues to rise. Congress must override his veto and pass legislation that will enable our schools to develop local policies that end school violence. Parents, teachers, and especially students all across America should not have to wait one more hour, one more day, or one more week for safer schools. Our children should be working on their education, not worrying about their safety. I urge the President to reconsider and retract his veto and start protecting our children.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, the tug of war between the common sense of ordinary people and the nonsense of government bureaucracy continues. Recently a wildland fire started in my district and has continued to burn unabated for the last 3 days. This fire could have been put out in its very early stages only if Secretary Babbitt would have just let the firefighters do their jobs. The fire started in not a wilderness area but a wilderness study area and since mechanical vehicles are not allowed in the so-called study area, firefighters must carry their equipment 2\1/2\ miles just to reach the flames. Not only that, 12 planeloads of fire retardant have been dropped which have cost the taxpayers $60,000, to no avail. This environmental extremism has allowed the fire to burn nearly 1,000 acres, and that is strange since firefighters believe they could have put the fire out on the first night had they been able to use their mobile equipment. The lack of common sense and the bogus government extremism are wasting taxpayer dollars. This could threaten our land and destroy human lives in the process. Let us pray that this government nonsense does not get out of hand, destroy lives, homes and create a truly desolate America.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague and commend him for his leadership role in helping to preserve Lake Tahoe and the environment surrounding it. The gentleman has been a leader on this issue during his term in the United States Congress and certainly all of us appreciate that. There is no doubt that Lake Tahoe is a national treasure. In fact, over 130 years ago, Mark Twain, when he first crossed the Sierras and set gaze upon the Lake Tahoe Basin, said that Lake Tahoe was the fairest land in all the world, and that remains so today. However, today the health of the lake is at risk. As my colleagues have heard, algae growth is reducing the visibility by more than 30 feet today in the lake. Algae growth is primarily due and responsible from erosional runoff. It is the health of the forest that is responsible for that algae growth due to runoff. Today, one out of every three trees is either dead, dying or decayed, which sets up a rare fuel environment for wildland fire, which will have a catastrophic effect on not only the human loss of life in the area, but also property loss, as well as increasing the erosional runoff by an enormous proportion. The resulting massive erosion will only add to the problems of the lake clarity. This money will go to improving the health of that forest, which will ultimately help the health of the lake as well. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I thank the gentleman from Nevada for his leadership on this issue.

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?